A RUNAWAY MARRIAGE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 122, 22 June 1909, Page 3

A RUNAWAY MARRIAGE.

i'UK BRIDKCUSOOIFs.DECLAMATION. I J eicy I'rcdcnek Lewis Hooker 1 fin. ci.u ged with having made e false deoration under th? so ml °," , R ' b '' Ua, '- v !»t. WW,' by solemnly declarmg before the Registrar ForencTT "n-n Te,S ° n that °» e u >™ i'oience May O'Brien was ot the an> under h6 ' • n ° Wh 'g that she ™. ™-hL* a i; e ' •" orik ' r t0 - P''°™ r « « certificate authorising his marriage with

Mr. Quilliam, who appeared for accused remarked that the offence was an indictable one. It was usual in inActable cases for the prosecution to have to establish a prima facie case before accused could be called on to plead. Accused could not deny the charge, and the defence did not desire to cause more trouble than was'necessary. Counsel therefore, gave an indication that, so far as the defence was concerned, a prima facie case need not be establish'ei. His Worship pointed out that certain formalities were laid down by law. Sergeant Haddrell gave formal evidence in order to put into the court a certified copy of the declaration made by accused to the Registrar of Marriages at Nelson.

Constable Mclvor deposed that on the Bth inst. hy served accused with a summons calling upon Him to answer i«j r,ne charge. He told accused that some of, the witnesses were in Nelson, and as'<c<l him if it were necessary for tie police to subpoena them. Accused replied that it was not necessary, il9 he intended admitting everything'to. savJ expense.

This evidence was considered by the Court sufficient to establish a prima facie case.

Accused pleaded guilty and was committed for sentence to the next sitting of the Supreme Court at New Plymouth.

Accused was admitted to bail, in his own recognisance of £'2s and one surety of £25.