MAY HALLET'S STORY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 93, 15 May 1909, Page 5

MAY HALLET'S STORY.

TOLD TO THE SITREAJE COURT.

VERDICT OK NOT GUILTY ISETL'RNED.

By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. The charge againsL Liucl .May liallel of obtaining JCou by means ot lalse pretences Irom Salter UM'ord, siiicpiarmer, was heard at the Supreme Court today. Accused made the following statement beiore the jury retired:— "After having in three places died hard to earn an honest living, 1 arrived in Christchurch, where 1 tirst met Mr. Cliilord. He was introduced to me at Earner's Hotel, lie seemed to like me, and we met subsequently. \\ hen he gave me .1.20 he said he Hoped 1 would Bee him if 1 came to Wellington, but he asked me not to say 1 had met linn before. Ulicii I met liiui at his own house in Hobson street and was introduced to biill again, I concealed the fact that 1 Had known him before. He called on me at the Uraiid Hotel. Before he leit ne told me he was going away for a tew da\s, and it 1 was in want oi any money he would help me. 1 »a',v him oa several occasions. He took me to the races, and introduced me to ma'iy people on tue course, lie took me round tne course, and 1 lunched with him ant otiicio in the members luncheon room, We were snapshotted on the lawn together. On the Trentham railway station Jlr. Clifford introduced me to prominent racing officials as his foster. daugntcr. \\e had a party of seven at dinner at the Grand Hotel that night. I booked to Christchurch with Airs. Denniston, and AM. Clifford stated that he would be down on the Thursday following. I was in need of money, lor with the entertainment to which 1 was treated and the rush of. people to call on me, I had no decent frocks for the occasions. Remembering Jlr. Clifford's promise, 1 ordered goods at the D.1.C., and when they demanded the money from me, I had to fall back on him for a loan. I went to his house for it, and was informed that he was at the Wellington Club. I drove there with Airs. Denniston, and got a gentleman from Cbrisichurch to bring Air. Clifford out to the hansom. 1 showed him the D.I.C. bill, and he said, placing his hand on m> shoulder: 'Aly little girl, £SO or £IOO, if you wish it.' I thanked him and

said I would be glad of £SO. He told me to drive to the bank, and when he * got the money he gave it to me. I never obtained the money through any untrue statements, and Mr. Clifford knows very well what I say is true. I wrote telling him I would pay him back, aa 1 have a large gum of money coming to me on June 2, when I will be 21 years old. This my advocate, Mr. Wilford, can prove. I am prepared to give Sir. Clifford an order for his money, and I think, considering what he said to me, he has been very unkind to me. People who are unknown to me went bail for me when I was committed for trial and had I felt I had done any "Wrong to Mr. Clifford I would not have faced the trial, but I know and he knows quite well that he should not have had me arrested. I believe he is sorry for it now. I never called myself Miss Canrpbell-Bannernuvn to him, as he now admits." The jury, after deliberating for an hour, returned" a verdict of not guilty.