SIGNATURE OF DOCUMENT

Press, Volume LXXX, Issue 24272, 1 June 1944, Page 6

SIGNATURE OF DOCUMENT

COMPULSION ALLEGED CHARGES AGAINST TWO MEN (P.A.) WELLINGTON, May 31. Allegations of gangster methods were made by Terence Francis Reilly, a reporter, in the Magistrate’s Court to-day when charges of having assaulted him on April 26 were preferred against Walter Roy Webster, a labourer, aged 36, and Charles Finch, a porter barman. Webster and Finch were also charged that, with intent to defraud, by unlawful violence and restraint of Reilly, they compelled him to affix his name to a valuable security, a document agreeing to transfer to his wife, Dorothy May Reilly, his half share in a property situated at 244 Oriental parade, Wellington, valued at £6OOO, in order that it might afterwards be converted into or dealt with as a valuable security. Mr G. C. Kent appeared for Webster, and Mr W. J. Stacey for Finch. ‘ Evidence was given by August James West-Walker, barrister and solicitor, regarding the preparation of a certain document on instructions from his client, Mrs Reilly. This document contained an admission of adultery by Reilly, and also an agreement to transfer to his wife his share in a property situated at Oriental parade. He said there was no date on the document, ■ just April, 1944. It was witnessed by B. Carr and G. Alcorn. At the foot there was written in ink: 1 am signing this statement of my own free will,” and it was signed by Heuly. Witness went to Oriental Bay on the morning of April 27, and saw both Webster and Mrs Reilly, but not Reilly, who, he was told, was prepared to execute the document, and wanted it prepared by Mrs Reilly’s solicitor. He was asked to witness Reilly’s signature and refused. There was nothing to lead him to believe that Reilly was being held as a prisoner. By virtue of a deed Reilly's half share of the property reverted to Mrs Reilly if he w’ere found guilty of misconduct Medical Evidence Medical evidence regarding an examination he had made of Reilly on April 27 was given by Jack AJzyk Slucki, a medical practitioner. "I found a bruise and swelling under the left eye, and a linear abrasion two inches long running toward the middle of the left eyebrow, said witness. ‘‘They were of recent ongin." Terence Francis Reilly, a Hansard reporter, gave evidence regarding the establishment, with himself and his wife as partners, of a dressmaking business m Willis street, known as “Madame Dawne,” and the purchase of other property. including that at Oriental Bay. in January, 1941. "A week after signing the contract of purchase, my wife struck my name off the contract of purchase without my knowledge or permission, and purchased it in her own name, witness said-. “I regarded it as dishonest, and left her in September, 1941. In August. 1942. I filed an affidavit in the Supreme Court in support of a summons on my wife caning on her to show why the property should not be vested in our joint names, and also seeking a declaration as to my interest in the business of Madame Dawne.’ My wife did not file a defence, and an order was made vesting the property in Oriental Bay in our Joint names. The day before this order was made I signed an agreement, at my wifes request, in which I relinquished all my interest in the business of Madame Dawne,’ and other assets belonging to both of us. A month after the agreement was signed my wife told me she had got me where she wanted me, ana was going to bring an action for separation and get the property back. Later, pressure was brought to bear oy his wife to transfer the property, witness continued. He mentioned various occasions on which he had seen Webster, and threats made, by the latter. On April 26. divorce papers were served on his wife alleging adultery with Webster. Just before midnight that same night, witness continued, his wife, Wen ster. and Finch, came to his flat, and broke the door into his bedroom. Webster and Finch.” he said, were striking at me. My wife said: 'Let him have it.’ They' got me out into the passageway, where 1 fell to the floor as a result of a blow on the face. I tried to get up, but the two men appeared to be on top of me, one with his arms round my throat." “Threatened with Hammer” Reilly then said he was taken into me lounge of his flat, and the door was locked. "Webster said: ‘Just in cass someone has gone to the police, get me a piece of iron.’ My wife went and got a hammer and a flrebrush. Webster sata that if anyone knocked at the door 1 was to sav I was all right, and ask them to go away. He kept swinging the hammer at me, and said: ‘lf you make a move I’ll drop you.’ " . . . Witness said he asked Webster what he wanted of him. Webster said a gang of men were employed by Mrs Reilly to force him to sign a document transferring the property to her, and also to withdraw the divorce petition. About 7.30 a.m. Webster said: We want him to look respectable when the solicitors arrive.” His shaving gear was brought, and he was forced to shave. He then signed a statement, at Webster s dictation, saying he had never been illtreated or threatened by Webster, witness continued. The statement was witnessed by Mrs Alcorn, who arrived at the house a short time before. Later, Webster brought in a man whom witness had never seen. Webster said:’ Just sign, or I will put a knife in your ribs. If i do two years for it." • Witness signed the document and a duplicate, which were false in every particular. Mrs Reilly then brought a suitcase, and Webster stood over him while he packed some of his belongings. He forced witness to hand over his keys of the house. Witness then went straight to the police station, where he lodged a complaint. He vomited a good deal during the afternoon, and later visited a doctor. . . . Mr Stacey: Have you made threats that you would use the press to the fullest extent in this case? Witness: No. I have nothing to do with th Mr P Stacey: Have you made no threats of this kind?— No. I stated I would report you to the Law Society. Mr Stacey: Well, you do this right awav.—l will do this at my own time. Witness said he had been in fear of his life. After reporting to the police he was still afraid of Webster, and had moved to Christchurch as a result of what he had been told. The hearing will be continued to-mor-row. The Magistrate refused an application for bail until he had heard all the evidence.