TALL SWEARING.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 233, 20 February 1913, Page 5

TALL SWEARING.

ALLEGED PERJURY. Ry Telegraph—Press Association. Invercargjll. Last Night. A farmer named Colin Gerard appeared before Mr. Cruickshanks. S.M., to-day on charges of tlie theft of a motor tyre, four cases of petrol, and a tin of carbide, on or about January !). The goods were the property of John Williams, a carpenter. Evidence was given that the particular tyre concerned was sold to complainant on January 0. and was missed from his motor shed next morning. Detective Cameron stated that lie visited Gerard's plnce on February 5, and saw the tyre <m Gerard's motor car. Accused said that the tyre had been presented to him by a man whose name he did not care to give, but later stated that it was given him by William Hazlctt. a farm laborer at Myross Bush. The detective told Gerard ' that he would have to aecompany him to lnvercargdl. and Gerard went, away to tidy himself. The detective heard a window being raised, and found that Gerard bad bolted. Next day accused, and his solicitor called at the police station. Evidence was given by Hazlctt, who denied that he had given Gerard the tyre. A witness for the defence, Thomas Walker, dairy factory manager, deposed that he stayed at Gerard's house from the evening of January 0 till the next, morning, and that Gerard' did not leave the house. Accused gave evidence that Hazlett gave him the, tyre on February 3, stating that he got it in a ditch. He explained that he cleared out from the detectives because he did not like the idea of going into Tnvereargill in their company. He denied that he and his solicitor had interviewed Hazlett. The witness Hazlett, recalled, stated Gerard and his solicitor met him at Myross Rush the day after the detectives had been to Gerard's place, and that Gerard asked him to say that he got the tyre in Christehurch. The case was adjourned, the Magistrate stating that he would give the solicitor (Mr. H. A. McDonald) an opportunity to disprove the statement. If it was untrue Hazlctt would be committed for perjury.