SERIOUS AND CRUEL

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIX, Issue 129, 30 May 1908, Page 5

SERIOUS AND CRUEL

: MRS. HAMILTON'S PERJURY. ; JUDGE'S STRONG COMMENT. LONDON, May" 29. Mr. Avory, prosecuting counsel in i the charge of perjury against Mrs. Hamil- ; ten, stated that the proscution considered ' that Mrs. Hamilton was worse than "Miss" Robinson (the New Zealand wit- > ness), who had committed perjury once, . and afterwards pleaded guilty, whereas r Mrs. Hamilton had persisted that she was not guilty, though her perjury bei gan a decade since. Mr. Justice Grantham, in sentencing her to 18 months' hard labour, commented on the serious and cruel character of Mrs. Hamilton's crime. It was necessary to punish her severely, because the wrong and injury done were absolutely incalculable, and her case had continued fdr a longer period than "Miss" Robinson's. But for this evidence, his Honor said, the bubble would have been pricked long • ago. Mrs. Hamilton deserved at least . seven years' servitude, but owing to her I age and infirmity the sentence would be very lenient. ? Mrs. Hamilton reiterated her innocence. She had, she said, only spoken the truth. ; The £400 she had received had nothing to ,; do with the Druce case, but was on ac- ! count of a business transaction between . I herself and Mr. Coburn (Mr. G. Hollamtj by Druee's solicitor).