WOMAN’S ORDEAL

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 264, 3 August 1929, Page 27

WOMAN’S ORDEAL

FRAUDULENT STATEMENT JUDGE’S CONSIDERATION Dominion Special Service. Auckland, August 1. There was an unusual climax to a lengthy trial of a woman in the Supreme Court before Mr. Justice Ostler to-day. Accused, who -was obviously seriously ill, was in the dock for nearly two hours, and she had to be supported from time to time by the police matron. After a retirement of four hours the jury failed to agree and a retrial was ordered. Accused then pleaded guilty and, on the verge of collapse, she was convicted and ordered to come up for sentence when called upon. Grace Edith Darling Greenfield, married, of Rangiahua, near Whangarei (Mr. Sullivan) was charged with fradudulentiy stating that she had posted a postal packet containing money. It was stated that accused said she r / stered and posted from Kaikohe to un Auckland firm a letter containing £6 15s. knowing that she had not done so. J. I. Allan, inspector of the Post and Telegraph Department, said he had examined the record books,at Kaikohe Post Office in, order to ascertain whether such registered letter as described had been posted. No record existed of a registered letter posted by A. K. Glenfield to Searle and Co., tailors, of Auckland. The records were also examined at Ohaeawai, Okaihau, and Rangiahua. He was not aware that postal notes for 4s. were issued by the Department. He was prepared to state that no such lettgr as described had ever passed through the Post Office. If it had, some record of it would have been available. The jury was unable to agree upon a verdict after a retirement of four hours, and a retrial was ordered. After a sho.t adjournment Mr. Sullivan requested to be heard, and on the Court resuming he stated that in view of the fact that the jury had considered the case so carefully, and in view of her health, accused had instructed him m plead guilty. The Judge granted the application, and stated that any further proceedings would have to be regarded as a retrial if sentence were to be passed. Accused would no doubt waive the reading of the charges and depositions. This was agreed to by counsel. He said that accused was in very bad health; she was the mother of eleven children and had never been In trouble before. “You are really liable to two years’ imprisonment,” the Judge said in addressing accused. “I can see that you are thoroughly ill, and I am not going to send you to prison. In my opinion the publicity of this trial and the anguish and agony you have endured bring their own punishment. I will convict you and order you to come up for sentence when called upon. You will also have to pay the costs of the prosecution;”

Accused was on the verge of collapse and had to be almost carried from the court. She made an effort to address the Judge, but was unable to speak. Mr. Sullivan expressed his thanks for the consideration shown by the Judge.