THE SILENT WITNESS.

Taranaki Daily News, 11 August 1920, Page 5

THE SILENT WITNESS.

"DEFEATING ENDS OF .JUSTICE." By Telegraph.—Press Association. , Wellington? August 10. After a series of vicissitudes unprecedented in the history of criminal trials in New Zealand, the case against James Reynolds Hayne, of Dunedin, .chemist, was was- charged with unlawfully Using an instrument to procure abortion, came to a sudden end this, morning. Gladys Batchelor was again placed in the witness box, but would not reply to any questions.

Mr. Macassey then entered a nolle ! prosequi, and Hayne left ,the dock.

The Crown Prosecutor made a declaration that it seemed to him that the ends of justice were being defeated by a conspiracy of silence. Mr. Macassey said he would deem it his duty to consider whether Neylon should not be prosecuted lor perjury. Mr. Justice Edwards said he thought it his duty to say that, if Neylon had followed the example of Batchelor and stood mute it would not have been considered half as serious. If he had done that there might have been some sympathy with him, for, in taking that course, he would have been facing the punishment inevitable as a consequence. Neylon had committed perjury, and it [ was undoubtedly the duty of those charged with the administration of justice to see, and that speedily, whether Neylon could not be convicted for perjury. "It may be," said the judge, "that there would be difficulty about that on account of the contumacy of the girl Batchelor. He might escape; I hope not, because it is plain lie has committed perjury of the worst description." Regarding the girl Batchelor, the judge said that if she had spoken he would have recommended her release, but he could not do that now.