ALLEGED MISCONDUCT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19947, 16 May 1928, Page 14

ALLEGED MISCONDUCT.

A SERIES OF CHARGES. ACQUITTAL OF ACCUSED. The retrial of William Brentnall (Mr. Beckerleg) on a series of charges of indecent exposure at the Huia dam works was continued before Mr. Justice Blair in the Supreme Court yesterday. Mr. Hubble prosecuted. On the question raised the previous day whether the scene of the alleged offences was a public place or not, His Honor ruled that on the counts dealing with public places there was no case, on the ground that it had not been proved that the City Council's reserves at Huia were "public places."

Mr. Beckerleg denied there had been any intention to insult or offend, as witnesses had alleged, and said on one of the dates in question the accused had been in Auckland.

Accused gave evidence denying the charges, and several residents at the Huia camp spoke of the accused's good character and contradicted certain parts of the evidence for the prosecution. Accused was described as "a straightforward, honourable man, who could be trusted anywhere." A letter was also produced from Mr. T. W. Rhodes, M.P., who had known accused for 40 yearn, bearing testimony to his integrity, uprightness and high moral character. His Honor, summing up, said each of the three sets of two girl witnesses had deposed to three separate offences, making nine in all. They were all bright, intelligent witnesses. After a short retirement the jury returned a verdict of not guilty on all charges.