THE BINGO CASE.

Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 184, 6 August 1925, Page 16

THE BINGO CASE.

A REMARKABLE TRIAL.

COIXAPSE OF CHARGES.

AGAINST JOSEPH MYERS. '

With tho dismissal by Sir Hugh John Mac Donald of the fraud charge against Joseph Myers ends one of the most fantastic cases to which it has ever been our lot to listen (says the "Winnipeg Mirror.") "■ ; '-■'■'

Considerable public interest has been exhibited in this case since Mr. Myers' arrest in England in the early part of the year, but little surprise was shown when the accused was dismissed by Sir Hugh John in the preliminary hearing, a rare if not unknown event in "a case of such magnitude. It is a significant fact that during the proceedings against Mr. Myers, a meeting of the Canadian company was held in 'Winnipeg, at which Mr. Myers ■was the only member of the old board of directors to be re-elected. Notwithstanding the fact that the Crown produced a very great number of witnesses and the proceedings dragged along for weeks, it seemed perfectly apparent to most unbiased bystanders that the evidence adduced was so extremely, weak and disconnected that tho chances of a conviction' were' so slight as to be negligible. i The Bingo case started in February, and is the biggest case ever tried in the Winnipeg Police Court. Forty-two sittings were held in all, and 228 exhibits were put in. Mr. Bonnar, K.C., Mr. Blackwood, K.C., Mr. Morosniek and Mr. Shinbane acted for the accused, while Mr. Andrews, K.C., and Crown Prosecutor Graham, K.C., conducted the prosecution in the early stages,' Mr. Andrews later withdrawing, owing, it is said, to some disagreement about his retaining fee. The charges hinged on statements alleged to have been made by the accused with intent to defraud, but in delivering judgment Sir Hugh John contended that it was perfectly clear that there was no evidence to justify Myers for trial. Tho defence called no witnesses, which reminds us of a statement- made by defence counsel at the opening of proceedings that "the innocence of Mr. Myers-would be established out of the mouths of witnesses called by the prosecution." Scores of witnesses from all parts and all walks of life were called, including plumbers, secretaries, miners, journalists, experts on mining and geological subjects, and scientists. More words were taken down •by .Court reporters'than in any other case on record in the'province, not excluding the trial of former Cabinet Ministers in 1912. '.<' • _, ■ - ... , The expense of transporting witnesses from Eastern Canada and from the mineral belt north of The Pashai been enormous. It is estimated that the cost to Crown and defence will have exceeded 100,000 dollarsT' As .0ne,..0f the pioneers of mmmg „in Northern Manitoba Mr. Myers has been, for the considerable activity which has taken place in the Herb Lake gold district, where many importaniypropertiei have' lljn__; located and in which Mr; Myers still retains unbounded confidence. His numerous friends are pleased and relieved to see hini enierge. unscathed frpni a case wliich wiJ.Kstand out as the most important cne ijdealt with by a i•'dourt inMfanitoba&sßHf -y~"-. ■[■'.