A CHARGE OF PERJURY.

Taranaki Daily News, 11 August 1917, Page 3

A CHARGE OF PERJURY.

THE MIDHIRST CASE.

Ae ilie Police Court, Stratford, yesterday morning, the charge of perjury laid against May Sefton by Lowry Bask in was heard before Messrs J. W. McMillan and J. Masters, J'sP. The charge was that JJay Sefton did commit wilful perjury in the Supreme Court, New Plymouth, in the case of May Sefton v. Lowry Raskin by saying amongst other things in substance and to the effect the following: "I have been only once in the car with Lopdell," whereas in truth and in fact the paid May Sefton iiad then ridden on more than four or five occasions with the said, Wm. Lopdell in the said car. An extract from the evidence given by May Sefton in the slander case, Sefton v. Baskin, before Mr. Justice Hosking, showed she had stated she knew 1 Lopdell slightly, who came to hcrv house occasionally to see her Imsband'on business. She had only been once in Lopdoll'a car, and that was when returning from Stratford to Midhirst he picked her up. She had a little boy with her at the time. She could see no harm In taking a motor drive from Midhirst to Stratford to see the pictures. Her husband was engaged with the Stratford County Council and he took no offence at Lopdell taking her for a drive. 1 Mr. Fitzherbcrt appeared for Mr. L. Raskin and Mr. Johnstone for defendant. On the latter's application the Court vas cleared of witnesses.

J. Terry, registrar of tlic Supreme Court, New Plymouth, testified that he was present when Mrs. Scfton gave evidence in the case, Scfton v. Raskin. Had no recollection of how many times Mrs. Sefton had stated she was in the ■ar with Lopdcll. J. 11. Pipe, deputy bailiff, Xew Plymouth, deposed that hU recollection was that accused had stated she was only in the car with Lopdell on one occasion, but could not remember whether she had been cross-examined on the question. AS H. L. Treadwcll, associate to Judge lioskjng, produced a carbon copy of the notes taken by him. It mas a correct statement of the evidence given by actuse/i in the action heard at Xew Plymouth.

P. 0. Harkncss, J.P., storekeeper. Midhirst, deposed that he knew accused for llbout 18 months, during which she resided at Midhirst, biii, was not well acquainted with her. Had seen them (ascused and Lopdell) in the county car. They were coming down past lii 3 store. He was going to meet the train, and the time 'would be about 7 o'clock. There .vas no third party in the ear, and the date would be before 21st day of February. That was the only occasion he saw them together, and they appeared to be travelling from Tariki to Midhirst. K. Klchman, dairy factory manager, Midhirst, said he knew accused, and had spoken to her. He knew Lopdell. and had seen both together. They had passed his place in a' car and be had also seen them near the toll-gates at Waipuku. Could not say how many times, probably four or five. Could swear he liad seen them four times in the ear. On three occasions during last year and one at Waipulra this year. Could not say the exact date, but believed it nvas previoas to 'February 21. On these occasions it was mostly in the evening, mostly about 7.30 o'clock.

T. Cookson, butcher, Midhirst, deposed that ho knew accused, Lopdell and the county car. On about the 4th February he met them on the York, road, whi/i was the second road to the left after passing Midhirst. That was the only occasion he saw them in the car i\nd it would be between C.30 and 1 in the evening.

Horace Taylor, Radnor road, farmer, said be knew accused, Lopdell and the car. Had known Mrs. Sefton n few mor.th-:. Remembered seeing them 'jn the car ri Radnor Road on December <i, at uh< -uidday. That was the only occasion ..o saw them.

George Yolfng, (Radnor road, farmer, said he knew Mrs. Sefton only by sight, lincw I.opdell and also the car. Reeosniseit accused and Lopdell as being in (he ear together on December 0 on the Radnor road, ju>t after 1 o'clock in the afternoon. Could not remember seeing llic-m together on any other occasion. James Snooks, butcher, Midhirst, said the first time ho saw accused and Lopdell together was in Orlando Street. near Pembroke Road. It was getting towards night, but 'Was not quite" dark. Ibis would be somewhere about November. The next occasion would be Saturday night of the same- week. This time he had left his house to go to his shop. Saw Mrs. Sefton 'walking about 50 yards ahead of him. Lopdell came along' with his car and Mrs. Sefton got in, and they proceeded towards Stratford. He Relieved the first occasion wa9 a Tuesday evening. On another occasion ho remembered seeing .Mr. and Mrs. Sefton nome back by train, and the same evening, about 10 o'clock, whilst chatting to another friend, Mr. Lopdell drove up In his ear and Mr. and Mrs. Sefton got out. Both answered "Good-night" to witness.

This concluded the evidence, and, aftei pleading not guilty, Mrs. Sefton wa; committed for trial at New Plymouth oi August 20, bail being allowed in, her owi vecognisance.