SUPREME COURT.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XXX, Issue 178, 30 July 1896, Page 2

SUPREME COURT.

CRIMINAL SITTINGS.

[Before His Honor Mr Justice Edwards,]

Yesterday.

• The hearing of 'the .'charge against Walter Neame, bankrupt, of concealing assets from his creditors, was continued yesterday afternoon after 'we went to press. Evidence similar to that heard in the Magistrate's Court was given by Thomas George Bennett (who acted as bailiff for for the official assignee) and George Lilywell, the latter admitting having "planted", certain goods for the prisoner, in whose employ he was. At 5 p.m. the Court adjourned. ToW.

On the Court resuming at 10 a.m. to-day George Lillywell was cross-examined by Mr Pitt, who appeared ior the prisoner Neame.

Witness said that when he "planted" the goods for Neame "he had some whisky in him, but was not tight." When Neame came home after witness had taken the ohaff-outter to pieces and had hidden the parts, he said to witness, " You have done it splendid." Evidence was also given by A. A. Soaifa (Deputy Official Assignee), and John Sharp, jnnr., Constable Bogers, and William Watson.

In opening the case for the defence Mr Pitt submitted that prisoner had acted bona fide throughout in connection with lis baukruptcy. I'he facts were tbat he had taken a contract believing that there would be a large number of extras, but. the Government did not have these executed, and consequently Neame waa disappointed. The contract did not come up to expectations, and the result was Neame got behind and had to file in the Bankruptcy Court. At his first meeting of creditors Neame was subjected to a long examination about 'certain things which it was said ought to have been included in bis assets. After the meeting Neame was asked by the Official Assignee to act for him ae caretaker of the estate and he had done so, but had not " planted " pr attempted to conceal anything with the intention to defraud his creditors. They had Lilywell's word that he himself had pnt various articles away and had declined to give tbem up, either to the bailiff or to Neame. Mr Pitt called

Walter Neame, the prisoner, who deposed as to having lost on a contract which lie had taken at Longford. He had seen Mr Snodgrass about the contract, but tho result of the interview was very unsatisfactory, and witness came to Nelson and filed. After the two meetings of hiß creditors witness remembered signing an inventory of his assets and thereby becoming caretaker for the Official Assignee, While he was at his creditors' meeting the door of the barn was left open by Mrs Neame and the pigs got at the flour. Lilywell's statement that witness had asked him to "plant" goods for him waa "a lot of lies." There were some things in the hut which witness had forgotten when writing in a hurry to the Official Assignee. The list produced was of things allowed witness by the bailiff in place of watch and gun. John Sherlock, labourer, stated tbat he had worked near Neames place. Witness knew George Lilywell, who built a house for him, takiug about six weeks io do it. Lilywell bought^ Bome wins and witness had a drink with him. Witness did not care much for wine and only drank after Lilywell had " argued the point " about it. Witness only drank a little. Lilywell told witness he had a £20 " plant " and showed him a letter saying that he intended getting £10 from Neame. Lilywell also said that Neame did not know of the " plant." Maud A. Neame said she was married to the prisoner in Sepember last. Witness remt inhered asking McLean and Lilywell to out some chaff, but Lilywell said tbe cutter would not work and he bad taken it to pieces.

{Left Silting.)