ALLEGATION OF PERJURY

Evening Star, Issue 21945, 4 February 1935, Page 12

ALLEGATION OF PERJURY

NEW DEVELOPMENT IN AFFILIATION CASE 3 FRESH PROCEEDINGS INSTITUTED An allegation that witness for the defence had committed perjury in a case in which judgment was given in favour of their principal was made by Mr C. J. L. White in the Police Court this morning, when he instituted fresh affiliation proceedings against Thomas James Lorraine M'Farlane. Lengthy evidence was heard m this case last week. and. on Friday Mr Hi W. Bundle dismissed the complaint issued against M'Farlane by a twenty-year-old girl. The defendant claiined that he was in Christchurch for a period that had a vital bearing on ■ the case, and evidence was given to this effect. After this judgment had been given M'Farlane was sentenced to three weeks’ imprisonment for theft, the term dating from January 17. Representing the girl in the case, MrWhite said that the defendant’s whereabout in July were of vital importance. He and witnesses swore that he was in Christchurch from the beginning of June until the_ end of August, but, according to police records, he was seen in Dun'edin on no less than thirty occasions between June 12 and August 5. including the days of July 23, 24, and 26. July 25 was a crucial date in the case. Counsel understood that M'Farlane intended to leave New Zealand as soon as he was released, and asked for some security for his appearance. . , , ' , Mr 0. G. Stevens, who represented M'Farlane in the affiliation case, said that be had not had time to go into the matter yet, but had impressed upon M'Farlane the gravity and seriousness of the allegations now made against him. It was possible that there had been a mistake as to his identity. Detective-sergeant Doyle: There can be- no question as to his identity. These records are kept fortnightly. M'Parlane is to be released on Wednesday. Mr Bundle; I shall adjourn,the case until Thursday in the meantime. Do the police intend to take further proceedings ? Mr Doyle: In all probability, sir. Mr Stevens; I wish to state,,sir, that if I find I have been mis-directed 1 certainly will not be appearing in any subsequent proceedings.