ALLEGED CONSPIRACY.

Evening Star, Issue 8773, 14 March 1892, Page 2

ALLEGED CONSPIRACY.

AUCKLAND, MasdH 14, The Hon, J, fi, Whyte and Alfred Etheridge, late receiver of crown revenue, were charged at the PoUoe Court this morning with conspiracy to defraud by the alleged substitution of "scrip” for "cash,”

Mr Button, for the prosecution, stated that be was unable to proceed during the absence of his principal witness, Archibald Grandlion, who had left for England by the Tainui on March 6 by arrangement. Mr Button went on to state the facts Upon which the prosecution would have relied bad they been able to proceed. Janet Grand!son, wife of Archibald Grandiaon, purchased 272 acres of land, and paid for it by her husband's cheque for LlO3 3i 7d, The cheque was drawn by Archibald Grandison, payable to ".Grown Lands or Hearer,” and was paid on 30th September, 1889, to the Receiver of Grown Lands, and entered by him as cash. In the Grown lands book be entered LlO3 3s 7d as cash. The figures 1 and 0 were scratched out in red, leaving a receipt in cash for L 3 3a 7d ; whereas; under the column for scrip LIOO was stamped by the Receiver, with the usual stamp of the Crown Lands Office and his own name placed across it. On the same day this cheque was paid by defendant Whyte into his own, account at the Bank of New Zealand. The case for the prosecution was that the two defendants conspired together to represent to the Crown that the land hdd been paid for in scrip instead of cash. Mr Theo. Cooper, who appeared for Mr Whyte, expressed bis sincere regret that the prosecution were unable to proceed. There was nothing on the face of the cheque to convey any knowledge on Whyte’s part that aU improper act had been committed, Mr Mahoney also spoke on behalf of Etheridge, arguing that even if facts as alleged had been proved there was no evidence of criminal act. Dr Giles, R.M., dismissed the case.