THE MELBOURNE ABDUCTION CASE.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2420, 3 November 1892, Page 3

THE MELBOURNE ABDUCTION CASE.

The case in which Mrs Clara Parker was charged with forging the name of Mr Joseph Clark to a promissory note for £3OOO, and of uttering that note, was concluded on Wednesday lastY It created a sensation in Melbourne owing to the mystery connected with the disappearance of Mrs Parker when awaiting her trial on this charge, and also owing to the disclosures of Mr Clarke's money transactions with her. According to her own story, Mrs Parker, after being bailed out of gaol was forced to leave Melbourne, taken to Sydney, and thence to Honolulu, whence she returned to Melbourne and surrendered herself to the axithorities. James Alexander Peters, tea merchant, and Thomas Cooper, broker, admitted in evidence that they had taken Mi's Parker away for the purpose of avoiding the trial, and the latter stated that she protested against being removed and sought to return to Melbourne to stand her trial. They refused to answer questions as to details on the ground that they might criminate themselves. Mr Joseph Clarke who is a very wealthy man, advanced on promissory notes and cheques over £BOOO altogether to Mrs Parker, as a pure matter of business as ho urged, though it was elicited that in regard to some of the money he had received no security until the notes were about falling due. He also had to admit in the box that he had paid £IOOO to Mr Parker to prevent his name being joined as co-respondent in a divorce suit which he is bringing against his wife. Ho emphatically denied that ho had had anything to do with Mrs Parker's disappearance. The evidence was of a very confusing character, and tho jury found a verdict of" Not Guilty," which was received in Court with applause, i Mrs Parker ib, however, still detained iu

gaol as when the failed to appear at the criminal sittings her recognisances, amounting to £SOO, were estreated, and she will not be set free until that sum is paid or until the Crown forgive her the payment. Further developments as to the conspiracy by which she was bailed out and sent away from Melbourne are promised. [A recent cablegram announced that Mrs Parker had been released from gaol.]