SERIOUS CHARGES.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVIII, Issue 141, 14 June 1917, Page 4

SERIOUS CHARGES.

EXTRAORDINARY EVIDENCE. BIBLICAL PROCEDURE. (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) HAMILTON-, Wednesday. In the Supreme Court, Hamilton, yesterday, before his Honor Mr. Justice Cooper, Hugh King, a voting man, wag arraigned on four charges of indecently assaulting two boys. Mr. Gillies, Crown Prosecutor, conducted tho prosecution, King being defended by Mr. J. R Reed, K.C., with whom appeared Mr. C. L. MacDiarmid.

The case presented some extraordinary features. It appears that all the parties are members of the sect known as "The Brethren," and accused was the conductor of a Sunday school which the hoys attended. Upon the fathers o{ the boys taxing King with the offence, he produced a Bible and commenced to argue with them, contending that according to the Scriptures the charges were not brought in a proper manner. The argument was thereupon adjourned, to be re-opened upon a subsequent occasion, when the accusers produced Scriptural warrant for their method of procedure. King relied upon Matthew xviii. 15: "Moreover, if thy brother shall trespass against thee go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone; if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother." His accusers considered that I. Corinthians v. 13 ("But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person") filled the bill better. They therefore gave him a week to think the matter over and endeavour to clear himself, failing which they would bave to follow the course laid down in the passage from Corinthians. He failed to convince them of his innocence, and he was accordingly "put away," though he endeavoured to get them to refrain from such a drastic course by allowing him to drop out of the meetings.

Evidence as to the alleged offence was given by several witnesses.

Alter some 15 minutes' retirement, the jury returned with a verdict that the evidence was not sufficient to convict, and accused was discharged.