THE AUCKLAND ABDUCTION CASE.
WffO WROTE THE LETTERS? [Per Phess Association.] AUCKLAND, May 30. . When, giving evidence in the case against Hams for alleged abduction, Robert Swindley, groom, isaid that he had hoard the girl refuse to go home. Witness, in reply to Mr Lundon, stated that the girl had said, she- had told the accused she was sixteen years of age, but that she was frightened to repeat it in Court, because if she did her mother and father would put- hor in a convent. He had received several letters from tho girl, some of which were tendered. His Honor read out a portion of one, written in pencil, as foil-owe:—" Ask Middy if he does not think it best to isay I did not tell my age, as if I was to 6ay I told him I was sixteen they would turn me out, whereas they are giving me money and I am saving it tor him. Tell him it is very hard for me if they turn me out, as h". knows I cannot work, and how can I ea.rn my living? He will only get about eix months or a year. Ask him if he remembers telling me he would do gaol for mo. Now he 'has it and. ho does not- like it, and I do not think he loves me. I lovo him just the same." Mr Tole (after show wig the girl the letter): The genuineness of that document is denied. His Honor: It is a very e&nons thing if she denies tho authorship. There is a difference- in tho waitings between the pencil «.nd the pen. Witness, in reply to further questions, said lie had burned somo of the letters, because they bad become worn and torn, and he had kept others. His Honor: There is one peculiarity. Tho words "I was sixteen" are interpolated. Thoro is an asterisk below them. Catherine Harris, mother of the accused, eaid that she had procured tho letters produced from Swindle-} since the accused was committed fotrial. Mr Lundon had asked her i she had any letters or other document, connected with the case, and she ihei. told him about these letters.
Other evidence was called and, the case for the defence was closed. In rebuttal, Mr Tolo called the girl, upon whom the offences were alleged. to have been committed, for tho purpose of examining the letters tendered for the defence. Witness said site did not write the letter in pencil. " I did mention to Swindley that the accused said ho would go to gaol for me, but t!he letter in pencil is not mine/' said the witness. Mr Tole: Did lie ask you to swear anything in Court? Witness: Swindley said that Mr Lundon said it was the only thing that would, get accused, off if .f. said I was sixteen. . . In reply to Mr Lmido.ii. witness said she told Swindley .about come portions of the letter in pencil, but she did net write it. " There are other letters which, would prove- Mm guilty, and which I wrote to Swindley. Where are they?" she asked. His Honor: It is rather awkward, very awkward. The case was adjourned till to-day.
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Bibliographic details
Lyttelton Times, Volume XCVI, Issue 14386, 31 May 1907, Page 5
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535THE AUCKLAND ABDUCTION CASE. Lyttelton Times, Volume XCVI, Issue 14386, 31 May 1907, Page 5
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