CHARGE OF BRIBERY.

Taranaki Daily News, 3 July 1916, Page 2

CHARGE OF BRIBERY.

SENSATION AT MASTERTON) I Masterton, Juno .TO. A sensation was caustic! in court this afternoon when a soldier named Private Francis McCarthy, a witness in a case again Roncy Paul, 'hairdresser, of MasUrton, who wns charged with sljgrog soiling, licensed Charles William Boyd, Government life insurance agent, of attempting to bribe him. McCarthy alleged that Boyd came to the eain|> at Fcather.ston, and ashed him if he could not make things light in the case against Paul, as it would he hard for Paul as a business man if he "went up." Boyd offered him £5 if he would sign a statement repudiating a statement made previously to the police. Boyd said the consequences of giving evidence against Paul would be .pretty bnd for the witness, and that things would be made very hot for McCarthy in camp. The alleged bribe was refused by ■McCarthy. The solicitor for Paul said that McCarthy's statement left him about speechless, as he knew nothing of what had transpired. Boyd, on oath, flatly denied McCarthy's statement. The Magistrate stated that the charge made against Boyd was x serious one, anj! he would adjourn the case for a fortnight, in order that the evidence of Con-stable Chapman, who took a statement relative to the alleged bribe from McCarthy, might be heard.