THE UNKNOWN CASE.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVI, Issue 265, 14 November 1885, Page 8

THE UNKNOWN CASE.

Couunittal of the Dbfondaute

[kUUM IM'K HWN I'iIJtKKSI'ONI'KNT |

l.oNhoN, October 7

Tin: last pcone of tho imlinl art »l tho fmn

oils or infamous. Armstrong abduction ri-

wan played mil al Bon M.IOOI r.n (hu -I'-ll

ult., when the magistrate, alter listening ti a lengthy, egotistic, and froqiienlly irrclu vant speech from Mr Stond, committed tha' gentleman and his confederates for trial.

The unabated interest felt in tho nlliir was manifested by tho crowded aspect of tho vicinity of tho Court from an oirly humin tho morning. Happily, tho police woro fully prepared for tho contingency. A dou'blo patrol kept Bow-street pretty clear, and only thoso actively interested in the investigation or armed with orders from Mr Vaughan were able to penetrate into Court. Ten o'clock had boon tho hour appointed for tho commencement of proceedings, but when it struck tho only persons actually engaged in the case present wero Mr L'olii.d, MrCufl'o, and Mr Pollard, who had taken thoir accustomod placo in tho counsi Is. paw, and Madame Mouroy, who was seated on the bonch usually reserved for witnesses. Amongst those on the bench woro l'rofos-sor Stuart, M.P., Mr. Catlin, an! tho Hon. Auboron Herbert. Shortly boforo half-past ton Mr Charles Russell, (J.O, M.1., Mr Waddy,Q.C., M.l'.,andMrLickfoldontcved !ho Court, Mr Stead and Mr Bramaoll Booth arriving exactly at tho half-hour, and ontoring into consultation with thair legal representatives. l<ivo minutes lator Mr Yaughan took his seat on the Boneh. Tho prisoners woro thon ushered into thoir respective places. Jarrett, who aatalone in tho dock, and « ho seems to possess tho oxtonsivo wardrobe of a quick changing artist, had again varied her outward attiro. She woro a long black cloak, with a largo hood lined with white fur, and a smart-looking cavalier hat of brown straw, trimmed with brown ribbon and ornamontcd in front with a largo bunch of brown ostrich foathors and a silver bucklo.

Madamo Mouroy, sitting as usual on tho oxtromo loft ot tho othor prisoners, had also variod her attiro. Sho woro on this occasion a long black cloak lined with fur, and a black silk bonnet covored with buglo laco and omamontod with black ostrich foathors and a bunch of greon foliago. Mrs Coombe, seated noxt to hor, figured in a dark clonk, a plain brown straw bonnot trimmod with brown ribbon, and a white neckorchiof. Mr Jacques was in groy twoed, with a yellow nooktio ; and tho other two prisoners had not altorod"their drose. Jarrotfc sat quietly with one hand to hor face, but glanced about with an evident ii. forest in tho proceedings. Ilorexamplointhis rospoct was followod by both Mrs Coombo and Mr Jacques. Mr Stead, as usual, was busy note-taking, Madamo Mouroy woro hor wonted placid aspect, and Mr Bramwell Booth a rolloctivo air.

After William Scott, a clork in tho Telegraphic Dopartmont of tho Gonornl Post Oflico, had formally proved tho source of some tolograms, and Eliza Armstrong had boon recalled to provo that sho had buou taken to 27, Nottingham Place, Marylo bone, the examination in chiof ■ r •■-■■' or Bonier was rosumed by Mr Pv. .. .ho main point olucidatcd was tho fuci of Eliza Armstrong having pointod out a house in Poland-street as tho ono to which she was takon. Mr Russell declined to cross-oxamine, and perhaps Mr Wuddy would havo done bettor to follow his example, fcinco all he managed to elicit was a laugh against himself. Mr Ovorond put a question or two with his accustomod deliberation and distinctness touching tho interview of tho witness with Madame Mourey. The last-named did nob appoar particularly moved by the offorts of her defender, though sho listened with some attontion. Mr Stead then rose, and with a prefatory smilo, began his cross-examination of tho witness. Holacks, it is to be presumed, that oxporienco which should enablo a counsel to receivo replies most adverse to his case with apparent unconcern. Several times when Bornor's answors did not tako tho turn his interrogator ovidontly anticipated, tho latter drew back with a marked look of disappointment, while his pleasure at eliciting what ho ovidontly desired was vory apparent in tho tone in which the next inquiry was put. At longth Mr Vaughan felt bound to interposo to check the line of cross-examination, and a moment aftor had to sternly rebuke Mr Jacques for calling out " Hear, hear" as a commont on ono of Mr Stoad's remarks. At this time Mrs Weldon was busily engaged in ondeavoui ing to enter tho Court. Tho oiiicit Is on duty had given her vho option of onterinp; tho body of tho Court, but sho expressed her wish to bo accommodated on tho box. Again Mr Vaughan had to interpose to confine tho questions within the limits of cross-examination, and at length Mr Stead sat down, and after a couple of inquiries from Mr Poland, Borner's deposition was road ovor to him and signed. Mrs Weldon meanwhile in the counsel's room wao expressingiher determination that the prisoners should not be smuggled out of the Court premises in the van, but should march out under her

guidance, and face tho crowd with their | hen.;.- .Ip aa people who hnvo no auiee t.n ho ashamed. Tnapector Yon Tornow wan net culled, am) detailed his jqui-ney to France in quest of tho miming Kirli !llao identifying certain letters put in. VVliilot ho was (loins so Jarrott laid aside her furlinod cloak, which must have been unpleasantly warm, judging from the temperature in Court, and appeared in a plain but neatly cut black stuff dress fastened at tho neck by a silver brooch. At tho close of tho examination Mr Stead put ono or two qne*timip, hi" example being followod by Mr Waddy. William Moody, a man wearing the uniform of a messenger of tho "Pall Mallflazotte," to which heisoflico-keepor.idontiliod the handwriting of Mr Stead. Mr Stead admitted the handwriting of (inu document, but declined to roeofjniwi that ni ancitlior, nncl on this latter buing shown to Mr .Incquos ho also repudiated it as "an invention ot tho onomy," amidst some laughter. Mr Nunnoly, a short-hand reporter, sworu to notes of Mr Stead's speech at St. Jamos's Hall. Inspoofcor Popo produced copios of tho "Pall Mall Gazette.' Whilst his evidence wan in progress Mr (Jcoige Lowis entered tho Court and took a Kcat near his client, Mi1 Stood, with whom ho entered into consultation, whilst Mr Sandford, a moeeongor at the Treasury, also proved tho purehaeo of a copy of tho " I 'all M«H (Jazetto." This concluded tho oviilonco f";1 tho prosecution. M r Charles Kuasoll made a spoooh oulogisingtho motives by which thodefondantsworo aotnntod.but admitted to a cortain oxtont thai, even in auoh c;l«im a taclwiKul breach of tho law might bo committed. Ho also spoke soverely of tho conduct of Mr and Mrs Armstrong and Mrs Broughton. Mr Vaushan then addressed tho usual cautions to the prisoners, couched in somewhat moro lengthy terms than is - customary. Jarrett listened very intently to this, loaning forward to catch tho loarued magistrate's words. Madame Mourey also exhibited foiuo interest. Thero was a hush of expectation as Mr Stead rose, and, in solemnly melodramatic tones, bogan to announce tho fact of his having prepared a lengthy statement, which ho desired to read. Mr Vaughan felt bound to remind him at tho outset that ho must conlino himself to cortain limits. In answer, he obtained a flourifili to the I'llbct that thi.-i statement had not buon drawn up without counsel's opinion. Mr Stead then bogan to read ono of tho most remarkably high-flown documents ever hoard in a police-court, but wan speedily nipped in tho bud by tho magistrate A discursive argumont followed, tho defendant urging his point porsistently.and making a further appeal to -'magisterial compassion and indulgence." Mr Stwul suggested that ho tshould make his Btutomont, and have tho passages objected to struck out afterwards, but tho magistrate quietly declined to allow this. Tho defendant kopfc persisting, and at length Mr Vatighan had tho opening sheet of tho

Ktnto'mont handed up to him for oxamina tfoa and diiclined to allow it to bo read. Mr Stead lit once began unon tho second slip. Tho magistrate checked him till he had seen this, and a second i time signified his refusal. Mr Stead tried his third slip, but again Mr Vaughan refused to let him go on till ho had also seen this. After much demur, tho third slip of the speech, which was in typo, was handod cv liini, and with tiio same result. Aguinand again MrStead tried,but slipaftor slip was rejected, though Mr Stoad hinted thatitwns " physically impassible " fortho magistrate to road through tho slips in tho Hnv! Mr Vaughan allotted to them. The liuiuiidunt tried to get a start by having hi.slips handed up (0 tho magistrate one at a time, and at unco starting; oil' at Si'oro in the \u<\v , t.f;;. ding at lcn.-l -i few of his re inailiH 111 11 !t-' ; a-'. Ho :»;,"iin rli-i-miOil ihiil I ho nin;;i»trulu did not |;ivo iiutlioiiMlt lime to thoir fioruw.il, and fought to dial K:iil;i; certain pasnagOrt. Tho brciio grmlu ally assumod nn nspccl th.it would have Ihm-h IndicroiiH h;.d.it not been painful to all who iM>.ti<r(iiincd aiiy ic.-p-.'it for a court of jutlioe. fcilill, the laughter that broke oiitwas really irrepri'..■ iblo miilor tho niieum -t-iMi-c-<. M !iir.;;lli, ivlion the fourto nlli .-lip was reached," the ruagiatrato alluwoil it lo bo read. This permission Mr Stead availed himself of with much theatrical cm phanis and arching of his oyohmwH, but aft or ■1 r-orliiin tini.i w.i- choc L.'.l by tlio magistrate, with wh'.'in huliiid sinothei' argument resulting in a further deletion, .lariott lookod very miconifortabloduring tho read ing of tho pass.'igOH relating to horaulf, sitting with closed eyes and contrae't'il features, and Madamo Mouroy glanced at

Mr Stead with a very reproachful air whin her doings wore dilated upon. Another deletion took place, and Mr Stead then handed up a bottlo of chloroform with a flourish, Ho also favoured tho Court with an imitation of Eliza Armstrong'; voice when sho cried out. "There is v man in tho room." Some morn passages woro suppressed at intervals, and a fow arguments onsu< d, but of no real moment. Mr Stoad opoko of tho conduct of tho police with much bittorness, and dwelt in Hiiteringly triumphant tones on their failuio to avail themselves of the information (hoy might havo obtained on application at tho "Fall Mall Gazette." Ho mouthed out his assertion against Mrs Arms:rong with most exaggerated omphasis, and incurred a robukofrom tho Magistrate Uo proceeded to traverso gome of tho evidence, and finally argued on tho legil aspects of tho case, contending no offence had been committed ovon technically. Ho wound up with a peroration of the most high-llown character, taking unto himself much credit for tho passage of the Criminal Law Amendmont Act and denouncing tho oxistenco of vico in high quartors, and claiming to havo boen tho "guiding hand and directing brain" of thn wholo investigation. The Magistrato.in giving- his docision,spoko briefly, practically, and vory much to tho point. Tho question was whether Eliza Armstrong had been taken fraudulently from tho possession of hor parents ,bocauso if 8", fraud admitted consent. Ho thought tho ovidoncoof Mrs Armstrong, Mis Brough ton, and thoir neighbours was clear on this point. Jarrett protended she wished to hire tho girl as a servant, whoroas ehe in reallity wanted hor lor quito auothnr purpose Mr Vaughan thon wont over tho points connecting Mr Stoad, Genoralßooth, and Madamo Combo with tho abduction, winding up with tho following cogent remarks : —

Thoro has been a good deal said about motive. Mr Stead liaa, no doubt, in a very able papor endeavoured to show that bis motive has boon a pniieoworthy ono. It may havo boon. It may havo boen a lofty and puro motivo, but I confess that, although ho may havo had a dosiro to removo this child from impuro associations, that can bo no legal justification of tho oll'enco with which lio is chargod. Hut, it might also havo boon a difi'eront motivo. Thoro may havo boon a motivo existing in his mind—a dosiro to got togothor materials for tho concoction of that doplorablo and nauseous article which appeared in tho "Pall Mftll Gazotto ' of tho 6th of July—(cheering in Court) —an articlo which certainly has givoti groat pain and sorrow to many good pooplo, and has groatly lowered tho English poople in tho estimation of foreign nations. (Cheers.) Mr Jacques : That shows your animus.

The Magtstrate(continuing): 1 say, inoroovor, tho law of this country cannot bo broken for the gratification of any motivo, however good, and I for my own part cannot sco how, supposing any religious enthusiast were te think it fitting to onter a family and tako a child out of that family whoso parents entertain a different religious belief from tho toncts of that enthusiast—l cannot understand how on tho samo principlo as this case is justified that taking away should not also bo justified. It soemfe to mo it would bo moft fatal and perilous if such an infraction of tho law were to bo admitted on such a motivo as this. I say also that it appears to me that if such usurpation of authority over tho moral, over tho religious lifo of individuals were not to bo restrainod by law, that there would be an end to the freedom and tho security and of tho indepondanco of every family of this country. (Cheers.) Upon principle, upon law, upon the facts, it is my duty to commit the defendants for trial for tho various offences charged against them, excepting only tho charge of indecent assault against Mrs Combe and Mr Bratnwoll Booth.

Mr Jacques, who, throughout tho investigation, troated tho magistrate with opon contempt, greeted his pororation with a satirical howl of laughtor. ■

A recent cable message stated that Mr Stead had been Hontenced to throe years' imprisonment, Mr Jacques to one year, and Mrs Jarrett and Madamo Mourey to six months each, tho latter with hard

labour

On Monday noxt, lGth inst., R. C. Greenwood sills at his new storos and Bale rooms, Wyndham - street, ihe well known Glenmore Katute, situate on tho Now North Road, >ho estate being out up into 300 moßt do=irablo villa residence and business sites, with roads 68 fact wid« miming through it. The presoni sale oifcrs v, rn.ro chance >o business people, working men, and others, of acquiring choice allotment-* in Bunh close proximity to tho city, tho prope'ty being situated wit Din two minutes walk ~ 1 the trumwaje, at ihe top of rtymonds-Btroet, the locality being very healthy, and lino views oljtainublu from the estate