COURT NEWS

Grey River Argus, 12 July 1927, Page 6

COURT NEWS

WESTPORT POLICE SERGEANT CHARGED. ALLEGED~PERJ URY. INVERCARGILL, July 9. Senior Scrgt. Scandrctt, of AVestport, late of Invercargill, was committed for trial on a charge of alleged perjury, by Mr. J. 11. Dixon, S.AL The case arose out of an information privately laid by Patrick Cairns, retir- | ed land agent, of Dunedin, charging Scandrctt that he committed perjury by falsely swearing the following statement. —“Prior to December, 1925, [ had no interest, direct or indirect, in any claim held by Cairns, and I have never seen an option that he held. ’I never purchased from him any interest in those options and have never acquired any interest in any’ of them.” The statement was made in a case in which Annie Scandrett claimed the sum of £15,3 2s 5d money allegedly lent to the defendant, Patrick Cairns. Air. Eustace Russell, appeared on behalf of tho prosecution, and Air. A. C. Hanlon, of Dunedin, appeared for the Air. Russell said the information was issued by Patrick Cairns, arising from the evidence given in the case in which Scandrett proceeded against Cairns Scandrett paid Cairns £6O for the purchase of a half interest in mining operations on properties at Kakahu, nea r Timaru. The money paid by Scandrett was for his share in tho partnership and not money lent. Evidence was taken and the depositions of the witnesses typed. Both Scandrett and his wife, after they’ had been sworn, read over the statements and signed them. The case was adjourned to Alarch. when Blake, an engineer, was heard, and the ease was non-suited. The principal evidence considered, said counsel, was a number of letters signed by the accused, which showed that the accused had very material interests in the claim in question. In 192.3 (’airns was the holder of two or three options on the property mentioned and had procured samples of limestone, marble, coal and copper. AVhen he saw Scandrett the latter expressed keen interest and said that he would like to get in with him (Cairns). Scandrett said that he did not mind going in as a partner if it was not too stiff. He was to pay £6O and half the cost of development, and stated that he was ready to enter in. Cairns ran off a short .agreement and asked Scand rett to read it and sign it. Cairns left ths agreement with Scandrett and had not seen it since. AVhen he asked for it the accused kept putting him off. He stated that he had jdenty of money, £.300 in debentures and plenty besides. Blake then went up to he ]»ropertios with Scandrett’s full consent to prospect and test further. The accused also went up and went thoroughly into the whole position.

Sono* time later, continued Air. Russell, they decided a company should be formed, and arrangements were made Io have tho provisional shares of “ 3’he Kakahu Limestone Company, Ltd. ” set out. Those documents wore prepared and went to the accused, who paid the account, which was directed to the. company, care of tho accused. A meeting of shareholders was held in Invercargill. when a number were present. It was proposed that a company of £25,000 should be floated in May. Cairns was not satisfied with the way things going ami met Scandrett and asked him to give him (Cairns) a. complete list of what had been paid out, stating that he would undertake to buy Scandrett out. Tho accused wrote several letters to Cairns, quoting “our mining interests at Kaliahu,” “options which wo hold,’’ and referring to himself as “a partner in a business concern,” al! in connection with his partnership. A police inquiry was held in Invercargill, but the proceedings of the present action did not take place until several months later. Subsequently, a meet ing of directors was held at Timaru. ird Scandrett telegraphed up to the effect that lie was unable to go, but giving authn’”'’- f->r All’s Scandrett to act for him. Tn tho lower court they had siv ( ,rn Hie letters v.ere dictated by Airs Scandrett fer Hie reason tha.t he did not hke Cairns and did not want to have anything to do with him. Evidence was given by Cairns. Air. Hanlon addressed the Court alength, claiming there was no case. Accused pleaded not guilty and was committed for trial.