ACQUITTED.

Taranaki Daily News, 18 May 1922, Page 4

ACQUITTED.

BISHOP LISTON’S TRIAL. “UNENVIABLE NOTORIETY," DEMONSTRATION IN COURT. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Auckland, Last Night. A verdict of “not guilty” was returned ’ by the jury in the trial of Bishop Liston. The jury added the following rider:“We consider Bishop Liston was guilty of grave indiscretion in using words capable of an interpretation po calculated as to give offence to a large number of the public of New Zealand, and we hold he must bear responsibility in part at least for the unenviable notoriety that lias followed his utterance.” His Honor: “Thank you, gentlemens that is a very sensible rider.” The announcement of the verdict was!. the signal for an outburst of -wild cheering and handclapping, the shrill cries of women in the gallery being particularly prominent. When order was restored, the Judge said that if the police could find any who took part in the demon-, stration, he would commit them for contempt of court. After counsel on both sides had addressed the jury, His Honor occupied an hour in summing up. The jury deliberated for 75 minutes. Auckland, May 17.

The charge of using seditious language against Bishop Liston was resumed to-day. Dean Liston, parish, priest, gave evidence that he heard the speech in question. It did not give him the impression of suggesting disorder, disloyalty oi sedition. The Whop mentioned several names of those who had died for Ireland and mentioned several numbers without giving any name who had died in several ways. The last on the list ho said were those killed by foreign £ troops. Witness understood, that the reference was particularly to three pi ies'ts alleged to have been murdered by auxiliaries in Ireland. It had no reference at all in witness’ opinion to the 1916 Easter rising. Mr. Hall Skelton, solicitor, describing himself as an Anglican, giving evidence, referred to the conversation he had with Bishop Liston before the speech in question was delivered. Mr. Meredith objected that this was irrelevant, that the interview must have occurred seven months ago. His Honor said the law sanctioned doubte about the admissibility of this as evidence, but he preferred to admit it rather than exclude it, when it might throw light on the issue. Witness said he was delivering a series of lectures in the country and Bishop Liston said he should be careful not to sav anything likely to cause friction between the different sections of the community. Witness denied that the Bishop hod sent for him, because he was getting over the edge in his (Mr. Skelton’s) Town Hall lecture. James O’Brien, timber merchant, gave evidence from a personal interview with. Bishop Liston that he was convinced the bishop was as loyal as himself and > a strong supporter of the Irish Free State. This closed the case for the defence.