MAY HALLETT.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 508, 15 May 1909, Page 6

MAY HALLETT.

ARRAIGNED YESTERDAY. ' THE LOAN/ AND HOW SHE COT ST. • THE JURY ACQUIT HER. . "Whon the name of May Hallotfc was called in the Supreme Coui4» yesterday, hundreds of faces turned towards tho door. She came in escorted by her counsel (Mr. Wilford), and walked to .the dock. All eyes turned on her, as though operated by one lever, _ and kept tho full-faced stare of curiosity towards her. May ' HaJJett, is a young woman of medium height, graceful figure, and ladylike appearance. Whoa seen in the crowded Court yesterday, she was nicely dressed, in accord with the prevailing modes. 'Her hat was large, black, ample of briin, with a.. oouple of big, white, bird-wingfL as its most prominent : decorative feature. The • dress was of dark , blue, a metallic . sort of colour, with a sneen on the surface. Alpaca yoke of cream-coloured lace. She seemed to bo rather norvous under the collectivo gaze of the Court. When she came. up into the dock again, after a brief disappearance for .searching*. a long sigh escaped her, and she ,then took a few deep breaths. Her face, with its regular features, was quite pallid, except in the lips, where the oolour came and went, w ' The Charges Read. The charges which had been preferred against her were then read. They were worded as follow (1) That you did, on January 25, at . Wellington, by means of a falso pretence, otbain from Walter Lovelace Clifford, tho sum, of: £50 in money—the moneys of Walter Lovelace Clifford— . ' with intent. thereby to defraud. : ;' - . (2) And further that, in incurring a ' certain debt or liability, to wit,"a debt .or liability of Walter Lovelaoo Clifford, for -tho sum of • £50, you did obtain - : credit by means of fraud. In . reply to [the usual question the acoused, in a firm voice, said "Not guilty." The Jury: Numerous Challenges. ;< As the jury was being empanelled' the keenest interest was manifested. ■ Mr. Myers challenged the first juror called; Mr-Wilford challenged tho noxt juror. Then threo jurors

were allowed to pass unchallenged.. Mr. Wilford again exercised liia right to challenge when the next juror was called. Then a juror was allowed to pass, But the next four were held up, Mr. Myers challenging three and Mr. Wilford;one.' The! next juror .that was summoned was acceptable to both sides. Each counsel then exercised his right onoa' again. So far fifteen persons had been called, but only six: had been approved. Before the twolve "good men and true" had been, selected, another ,ten jurors were called upon, two being challenged by the Crown and the same number by the defence. When Mr. Wilford had exhausted his right ten jurors had been empanelled. The list, as' finally completed, was:—Wm. Harris (foreman), Wm.J. Taylor, Edmond Saggles, Wm. Thos. Tapworth, Enoch Dammott, T. M. Peters, Gerald Hillen, B. Lynneherg, Leslie Chaffey, John It. Harris, A. W. G. Fitchatt, and Rioliard Carruthers. Mr. Myers Opens for the Crown. Opening the case on behalf of the Crown, Mr. Myers said that one could not lose sight of the fact that sometimes, an- attempt was made in some quarters, for some reason or another, to regard it as a cause celebro. He therefore desired to . say that the present case did not differ in any way from cases which, from time to time, came before-the various Courts in the Dominion. The second count of the indictment was really , in a sense an alternative count. Ho might say that the differenos. between tho, counts was this: It might bo suggested by counsel for the defence that the money was lent : by Mr. Clifford. In a sense the transaction was undoubtedly a loan, but there was-such : a thing as retaining money on credit by fraud. Accused arrived in Wellington on January 20, and stayed at -the Grand . Hotel. .By some means or another she became acquainted with Mr. Clifford—probably through people in tho South Island; who communicated with 'his family.' In consequenco of this one of the family called on accused at tho hotel. Then accused oalled upon' tho Cliffords, and presented a oard bearing "Miss. E. CampbellBannerman, Grand Hotel." Mr. Wilford: Do you say that the card is in her handwriting? . Mr. Myers: No. Mr. Wilford: You will have to prove that she left it tliere. 1 ' "Miss Campbell-Banncrman, Crand Hotel." Continuing, Mr. Myers said that anyone would be led to suppose that she was related to the late Prime Minister of Great Britain. ■As a matter of fact, accused had been known in New Zoaland as Hallott or Curtain. She became more or loss friendly with the Cliffords, and, ultimately, upon certain representations, Mr. Clifford lent her £60. Evidence would bo callcd to show that Mr.' Clifford was not tho first'person to whom she seemed to have gono for assistance. Among other persons whom accused got to know was a Mrs. Donniston, of Christchurch, who was very kind to, her. On tbo occasion that accused went to get tho money in question Mrs. Denniston drove in a cab with her. In the course of conversation accused told Mrs. Denniston that sho had gono first to one and then to another for assistance, but kid bconl unsuccessful-

Why the Loan was Advanced. The circumstances whioh led Mr. Clifford to hand over the money were — (1) That she was going under the name of Campbell-Bannerman, which would naturally lead ono to suppose that she was related to the late Sir Henry Camp-bell-Bannerman. , (2) That she said that her father was on a fishing- excursion 'in the South Island. . . (3) That she was going to Christchurch that night, and, on the following day, when she would soo her father, she would return the money to him. Mr. Myers proceeded to say that Mr. Clifford learned the same day that the statements which she had made were incorrect, and informed the police. A letter which had been sent to Mr. Clifford hy accused, after her arrest, would show that any suggestion about anyone being in fault excepting herself was unfounded. Among other things, accused stated in the letter: "I know I may have done you a grievous wrong." The Occasion of the Wan. \ Walter Lovelace Clifford, sheepfarmer, said that he first saw accused on the morning of Saturday, January 23, at. his house. Prior to that dato one of his daughters had, he believed, called on her at the hotel, and she . had. left. a card bearing name. "Miss Campbell-Bannerman." At the races she said that her father was at Temuka or Timaru looking at a property which he intended to purchase. Witness introduced her to several friends as Misß Campbell-Bannerman, to whioh name accused made no protest. After the races she drove up with them to their house, but did not stay . Next day aha was at their house after supper He saw her on the following day in front of the Club with a Mrs. Denniston. She •was fumbling a piece of paper in the cab and said: "Mr. Clifford, 1 am in. great difficulties. My father has not left me enough money to pay my hotel bill and- other ac- : counts -which I owe. Would you telegraph to your brother at Christchurch •to ascertain where my father is?" Witness said? "Why trouble him like that? Can I be of any assistance to you? ~I will lend you £50 \or £100." Accuscd said: "I shall be obliged to you if you will lend me £GO, and, when I see my father at Christchurch tomorrow, I shall return it to you." Witness went to the bank, and, later, handed the money to her in notes.. Subsequently he heard something which led him to make inquiries, and, that day, he saw thepolice.

"I May Have Done You a Grievous Wrong." Continuing, prosecutor stated that the day after her arrest accused wrote to him as under:—. - Dear Mr., Clifford, — Do please, think over and spare me from the punishment which is. so close . at hand re £50, which I borrowed off you. 1 know I may have done you a grievous wrong, but feel you will have a heart, as you have a daughter of your own, and if you only knew how upset I , am,' I am sflre you will consider the case beforo you let it go farther. I am sure . I could never go through the anxious , time, which I shall have to,-if you are ' still firm, and mean to Vress the case. Do, I ask you, consider this matter again. If you will allow mo to see you, I could come to somo arrangement regarding payment, if you. will only give me time, as I have money of my own. If the case continues, it means me having a solicitor, and so many people will be /; brought into it, and, 1 to spare them and myself, pleaso open your heart. I have • tried several times to earn an honost living, but three times have been instantly , dismissed,. because of my cm- , • ployors. finding out my affair at Auckland, which has disheartened My position at Home was such as my father was proud of, but if you will consider ' the above, I may regaiu my lost-position , in life. Believe me - to bo Yours in anticipation, ETHEL HALLETT. Mr. Myers: .What fact, or facts, induced you to hand over the £50 to her? Witness: What induced me to lend the money was that she led me to believe that she was the daughter of a Mr. CampbollBannerman, and a niece of the late Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman; also that she was in temporary difficulties and wanted to pay her debts. - Mr. Myers: Would you have lent her £50 if you had known who she was? —"Certainly not." . . Testing prosecutor's Memory. - Witness was then cross-examined' by. Mr. Wilford. , ' . Is it not a fact that you had previously been introduced to her At Christchurch by a Mr. Moritzson-in Warner's Hotel?—" No." Accused here muttored something which was understood to be: "Yes you were, Mr. Clifford.", ' V - Do you know a Mr. Moritzson?—l can't call him to mind. • Didn't you first meet her in: tho passageway at Warner's Hotel, and lend her £20?— "I contradict that; absolutely; it-'is"absol-utely-untrue." Have you a good memory?—" No." His Honour: But you would remember if you lent her £20 as has been suggested?— "I can't remember doing such a thing." Mr. Wilford: Did you remember meeting at Warner's Hotel a lady whoso name you don't know to whom; you lent £20? —"I have not been thero for four years." Did you not say in the Magistrate's Court that accuscd told you that her father was'in tho south? —"I may have."And now you say that ho was supposed to be at Temuka or Timaru?—"lt comes to the same thini* "• ~ i

Could you repoat what you have told Mr. Myers to-day r—"l don't think I could." (Laughter.) Do you wish the jury to believe that you gavo her tho money because you supposed she was related to a great personality?— "Yes." It didn't occur to you that she might bo related to Bannorman, the great cricketer? —"No; as I have said, I understood that she was a Miss Campbdl-Bannorman." Is it not a fact that the two of you were in a bird-cago carriage together going to the races, and the rest of the party were in another carriage?—"Wo wore all in a long carriage." What Happened at the Races.. Do you remember being snap-shottod on the course?—" Not that I know of." Did yeu promenade with her? —"No." How many times did you converse with her?—" Perhaps twice." ' His Honour: Had you some intorest in horses that wero running?—"No; not personally." Mr. Wilford: She v lunched with you?— "Yes, with the samo p.irty as wo did." Upon the railway station there did you not introduce her as: "My foster daughter?" —"No, certainly not." Did you visit her at the Grand Hotel? — "No." Were you never there in her company r "No." , . . .. Wero you at the dinner party (on the night of tho races) at the Grand Hotel ?—"No. Only Bomo members of your family?— "Yod." , From tho day sho met you until tho dato ■ when she faid she was going to Christy church she was at your plaoo almost daily ? —"Yes." ... And you only extended your hospitality to her merely because you thought sho was related to a big man?—" Well, wo thought sho was a Miss Campbell-Bannerman." Witness went on to.stato that he remembered speaking to accused in the saddling paddock. She gavo. him a sovereign to put on a horse. Ho did not> remember saying to her, "Keep the sovereign' and let mo put one on for you." He remembered going out to the races in a long railway carriage, not a birdcage carriage. _ They came' back in a birdcage carriage, with witness's brother and daughter and a friend, the -party consisting of five in all. "Do You Want Hw to Cet OIT7" . In'regard to the interview outside tho Wellington Club, witness said that ho stood at the side of the hansom nearest the club, where accused was sitting, and placed his hand on . the splashboard. ■ He aid not remember whether , ho put his foot on the step. Mr. Wilford: Do you remember.when Miss Hallett.was leaning forward in tho cab, and you were standing with one foot on the step and a hand on the cab, thaVyou took your hand off the cab and placod it on her hand and said, "My dear littlo girl, £50 or £100— if you. want it"?—"No, I only said '£50 or £100 if you want it. >• . ' : At that time you knew her as a niece of the late Sir Benry Campbell-Bannerman ?— ;"Yes." If you had known that she was Miss Hallett, she oould-nbt. have had it?—" No." : Later, Mr. Wilford asked: If she had been Miss Oampbell-Bannorman you would not have had her arrested?—"lf I had heard what I did hear I should have had her arrested all the .same." . I suppose you really want her to get; off ?— "I did not want the case, to go on." :But you would have preferred it? —"I am totally indifferent one way or the other." "A Charming Personality," • You found in your conversations with her that she had a charming personality ?—"I did not have many conversations.With'her. But you found that she-had'that low soft voice which" is so' scductive in women ?—"lt would not have affected mo." t You found that sho had some of those subtle little arts which , are so effective upon men? —"Not at all." You did not feel that she-was weaving her way into your heart?—" Not at all." •And were you allowing her to come to your house and taking her tojthe races and so on because sho was. a niece of the great Sir Henry Oampbcll-Bannerman; or because you liked her?—."Because- 'sho was-a friend of my daughter.'' "' ~ „ What feelings have you-;towards -her?--"Absolutely none." Judge's Wife as a Witness, Mary Helen Denniston. wife of Mr. Justice Denniston, of Christchurch, said acaused was introduced to her at her son's house as Miss Campbell-Bannerman,; and said nothing by way of protest or denial. Accused said sho was going down to Christchurch to stay with Mrs. Stead, and asked witness to call for her at the Grand Hotel at 10.80 a.m. on tho Monday. Instead, however, accused called for witness in a hansom. Accused said her father had met witness's husband at the Club ia Christehurch.; At the hotel accused ordered refreshments, and asked witness if sho had her cheque-book. Witness had not. Accuscd said she had a bill which she had supposed her father had paid before going to the south for a fishing excursion, with Mr. Edgar Stead. It was for £32. Accused then suggested calling os Dr. Hay. and they drove to the Govern-, ment Buildings for the purpose, but ho wai out. They then drove to witness's son's rooms, but he was too busy to be .seen.. Next, they drove to Mr.. Clifford's house in Hobson Street, whore they were told tha Mr. Clifford was at the Ginb. They met Mr. Lane outside, and witness aßked M Clifford if he could send a telegrar to his brother, Sir George Clifford, and ask him where her father was. He tnen asked what was the matter, and whether he could do anything to help her. Accused explained she, wanted some money to pay a bill, and to ' pay her passage to Christchurch! Mr. Clifford'want inkido and returned with a cheque., Accused told liini her- father would repay him. Witness and accused also went to the D.1.C., where accused paid £20, and explained to witness that the bill- was for ,£7O, and she had paid £20 on account.. They went next to the Union Company!s office, where accused booked for Lyttolton, paying £1 10s. for a cabin, and witness paid her ss. for' a share of the cabin. Wit-ness-.noticed that accused gave her name as Misr Denniston, and witness said that wai not hor name. Accused was speaking to a gentleman' it. the time, but she went forward and said something' to the clerk, which witness could not hear, ■ but she. heard her spell out the name "Bannerman." Afterwards as they were driving away, accused placod her hand on witness's hand,'and said she had ■ no mother,'. and this experience was very trying. • Witness said that she would be glad to help hor,. and accused went on to say that she had sent her. maid homo and her father was very much annoyed with her. To Mr. Wilford: She did not hoar Mr. Clifford say, • "Fifty or a hundred if you like." She would have heard it if ho had said it. George Henry Beale, custodian of tho Court, and John Beveridge, licensee of the Grand Hotel, also gavo evidence. "Should Auld Acquaintance?" William Comaster, labourer, Brooklyn, said ho had been employed behind tho bar at a hotel in London with accused. Ho came out on the Fifeshiro as boatswain eighteen months ago, and she travelled on the same ship as a steerage passenger. Ho believed sho travelled under, the name of May Hallott. Detective Oassells also gavo evidence. He had known her before as May Hallett and May Curtain. " ■ Mr. Wilford did not call evidence, but he said that beforo addressing tho jury he wished to raise a question. Referring to Arohibald on Criminal Pleading, ho quoted as follows: —"A promiso as to future conduct not intended to bo kept is not by itself a.false pretence.". This.was a quotation from an English statute, the Summary Jurisdiction Aot, 1899. " His Honour admitted tho application of tho clause. - Mr. Wllford's Address, Mr. Wilford, in his address to the jury, said tho case was ono of tho most interesting that ho had been associated with. . There wero two foasiblo answers to tho question concerning false representation. Either Mr. Clifford may have given her tho money be-' cause sho was Miss Campbell-Bannerman, or because ho felt tho charm of her presence. Tho latter was much the moro likely theory j of thivtwo. \Whett-Mr, Clifford said he would-'

lend money to Miss Campbell-Bannorman, but not to Miss Hallett, he (counsel) preferred to believe that Mr. Clifford was not such a snob. On the other hand, thero would bo nothing extraordinary in Mr. Clifford falling a victim to thoso charms to which the best of mon wore susceptible. It was not a business transaction that they had to consider. It was a voluntary gift from a man who said it was not even asked for. Accused . Speaks from the Dock. The prisoner then made a statement from tho dock. Sho read it rapidly and nervously, but quite clearly, from a paper, in her hand. It was as follows:— "After having, in three places, tried hard to earn an honest living I arrived in Christohurch, where I first met Mr. Clifford. Ho was introduced to me in Warner's Hotel. He seemed to like mo, and wo mot subsoquoiitly, when lie gave mo £20. Ho. said that ho hoped that I would see him if I came i? )*®»' ,n Ston, but he asked me not to say that I had mot him beforo. When I mot him at his own house in Hobson Street, and was' introduced to him .again,' I ooncealed tho ?i' known himr.before. Ho called on mo at tho Grand Hotel. , Beforo he left he told mo that.he was going away for a few days and, if I was in want of' any money ho would help me. I daw liim on several occasions. Ho took me to tho races, and introduced mo to many people on tho oomse. Ho took mo round the course, and 1, lunched with him and others in tho members luncheon room. We wero snap-shotted on the lawn together. On tho Trentham railway station Mr. Clifford introduced mo to prominent racing officials as his foster daughter. Ho had a party:of seven at dimior at the Grand Hotel that night. I booked to Chnstehurch with Mrs. Donniston, and Mr. rri j s^a^ that ho would be down on tho Thursday following." Accused went on to' say:— I was in need of money, for, with tho 1 entertainment to which I was treated, and the rush of people to call on mo, I had no decent frocks for tho occasion, fiemembering Mr. Clifford's promise, I ordered goods at tho D.1.C., and wlion. • they demanded the money from mo, I had to fall; back on him for a loan. I went to his, house for it, and . was informed that ho was at the Wellington Club. I drove there with Mrs. Denniston, and got a gentleman from Christchurch to bnng Mr. - Clifford out to the hansom. I showed him the D.I.C. bill and ho Baid, placing, his hand on imy shoulder, "My uttle girl, £50 or £100 if you wish it." I thanked him, and said that I would bo glad 'of £50. Ho told me to drive to the bank, and, when ho got. the money, ho gave it to mo. I never obtained money through any untrue statements, and Mr. . Clifford knows very well what I say is ■ true: ~ .... Accused continued:—l wrote tolling him I would pay him back, as I have a largo sum of money coming to mo on June 2, when I will be 21 years old. This my advooato, Mr. Wilford, can prove. I am prepared to give Mr. Clifford an ortlor for his money, and I think, considering what he said to me, that he .has been very unkind to mo. People who aro unknown to me went bail for me when Iwas committed for trial, and, had I felt that I had done any wrong to Mr. .Clifford, I would not. have faced the trial, but I know, and ho knows quite well, that he should not have had me arrested. I believe ho is sorry for it now. .'I never called ]• myself Miss Campbell-Bannerman to him, as he now admits. . His Honour Sums Up. ' '..-'His Honour, in summing up, said tihat tho jury should not' find" prisoner guilty unless •they wero satisfied she had acted fraudulently. He concluded: "You may havo some sympathy with; acoused,. but. you are not, to allow that ;to enter into consideration when you are deciding the case. You are. to set aside everything you may have heard in the nature of silly talk about the case. I might say that there has.been a lot of twaddle in tho papers, and elsewhere with regard to. the ■matter.. . Without any-'seus©7M J 'favour to anyono,;,TOU are to consider tho question of guilt or.:innocence .upon the daia^tfoati-has been placed beforeryou;-"-'' . "Wo Find: Accused 'Not Guilty."' , ~ Whilst'the jury were absent from 4.20 to s.ls—the '.accuscd'was 'takefn bolow to the cells. As'the jurors 'went- to their places>ll o.Ves strained for a glimpse'of the who returned to the dock lyithout assistance. Trembling perceptibly, she walked slowly forward to the ledge, on which she gleaned. When the foreman said:' "We find the accused not guilty" she burst into tears' and covered'her .face with her handkerchief, i A moment later sho looked up as if about to speak. "Let the prisoner be discharged," said his Honour, and the accused, still jobbing, quickly passed out of. sight.' A number of those in Court hurried on to the street, where they cheered accused as she drove away in a oab.