PERJURY ALLEGED.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20725, 19 November 1930, Page 14

PERJURY ALLEGED.

TAXI-DRIVER CHARGED.

OPINION OF THE BENCH. RECENT CASE AT WIIANGAREI. [llY TELEGRAPH. —OWN COf!RESPONDENT. 1 W JIA NG A U KI, Tuesday. A chiirgo of perjury was preferred against George Hansard, taxi-driver, of Wharigarci, who appeared before two justices of the. peace in the Whangarei Police Court to-day. The charge was that on August 25, 1930, accused committed perjury at tho Whangarei Magistrate's Court when ho was charged with being in possession of a double-barrelled shotgun for a longer "period than seven days, not being the registered owner of the gun. It was al'eged that accused falsely sworo that Leu Philips gavo him tho gun at the Whangarei railway station; that Philips was on tho express train from the North and gavo hirn tho gun at the railway station at Whangarei, or words to that effect, whereas in truth and in fact he did not at any time receive a gun from Len Philips. Accused, who was represented by Mr. R. K. Trimmer, pleaded not guilty. Senior-Sergeant O'Urady conducted the case for the police. Percival John Norwood, bailiff of the Magistrate's Court at Whangarei, said he remembered the case heard on August 25. Accused gavo evidence after being sworn. In evidence he said ho went to the, Whangarei railway station and met a man named Philips and obtained a gun. He said Philips came from Awanui. Richard Beasley, police constable, and Senior-Sergeant O'Grady gave corroborative evidence.

Ben Philips, labourer, of Awanui, said he knew accused, who was a distant cousin. Witness had never been on a train from tho North to Whangarei and had never been to the Whangarei railway station. He never at any timo gave any firearm to accused.

Richard Smith, farmer, of Awamii, said I if. knew Philips, who lived with him. 'I lie la.si timo Philips left Awamii was about two years ago, when he went to llikurangi. The Bench voiced the opinion that a prima facie case had heen made out, but that it was a trivial case. Accused, who was committed to the Supreme Court for trial, was granted hail of £IOO, Ijeing self £SO and 0110 surety of a similar amount.