THE SYDNEY DIVORCE CASE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVII, Issue 11540, 27 November 1900, Page 5

THE SYDNEY DIVORCE CASE.

CHARGE AGAINST A SOLICITOR.

By Telegraph.—Press Association.—

Sydney, November 26. Ernest Abigail, solicitor, was charged today with endeavouring to persuade Thomas Coogan to make a false statement in connection with the Coningham divorce case.

Coogan, in his evidence, said that Abigail, who was a friend, came to his residence. The Coningbam case cropped up in conversation, and Abigail said, " I wish I had you as a witness." To Coogan's objection that he knew nothing about the case, he said that was no matter, as he could fix him up. All he wanted witness to say was that he saw Dr. O'Haran and Mrs. Coningham in a certain place, and he would give him a couple of hundred sovereigns. Next morning witness called at the office of O'Haran's counsel and .made a statutory declaration with regard to Abigail's offer. A couple of days afterwards, by arrangement, Abigail again visited Coogan, who had two men hidden in the kitchen and two outside a window, where they could hear the conversation. Abigail asked if Coogan intended to accept his offer. Coogan said all depended on the terms. Abigail replied he might make an offer of £500, or go whacks in whatever he got out of the case. He asked him to see a number of other people, and offer them monetary inducements to appear as witnesses, and mentioned he would mako it worth from £1000 to £1. He told Coogan to be very careful not to mention anyone, and added that after the case was over Coogan would have to change his name, or he might get shot. He told him he had got Coningham coached, and Mrs. Coningham could not be squared. Witness, undiil pretence that he might forget, got Abigail to put these facts in writing, and next day handed this document to O'Haran's counsel. Four witnesses, who were hidden at Coogan's, gave corroborative evidence in connectidn with the case, which was adjourned until to-morrow.