THE ACQUITTAL OF MR A. D. BENNETT.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 764, 22 October 1886, Page 19

THE ACQUITTAL OF MR A. D. BENNETT.

(UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION.) Auckland, October 15

The triumphant acquittal of Mr A. D. Bennett, notary public, of a charge of perjury, has excited great public interest and given lively satisfaction.... The following are fuller details His Honor, in summing up, said that it was scarcely necessary for him to address the jury. The indictment was one charging Mr Bennett with bavin" made an affidavit that the bill, when presented to him by Mackay, was not endorsed. They had really no evidence on this point beyond that of the trio of scoundrels they had seen in the box. They had not a/ word to show that the bill was that tattered document the jury had seen. On the other side they had the evidence ot Mr Ballanttne, who swore that he saw the back of the bill, and there was not such an endorsemet t. The jury had also evidence of a boy who beam Mr Bennett say the bill was not endorsed. That was the evidence before them, and they had now to (say whether that evidence was true The jury, without leaving the box, found accused not guilty. At the announcemenfc there was a burst of applause from the crowded Court, which the po’ice endeavored, to eupurese. His Honor : “ I have only now, Mr Bennett, to express to you my regret that you have been exposed to the indignity of standing in that, dock at the instance of such a band of unmitigated swindlers (Applause.) I trust measures will be taken to give them their deserts.” No costs would be allowed to Bolton, Walker, Itlacl.ay, or A. Green, witnesses for the Crown. ’When Mr Bennett left the dock, a most exciting scene took place. Many of his friends, who throughout had watched the case with great interest crowded around him, and warmly grasped his hand, while the crier attempted in vain to keep order until, his Honor bad retired. A number of citizens waited upon Mr Bennett to-day, urgiug a prosecution of the parties implicated in the case. Mr Bennett eaiii he had lost sufficient money in defending himself, and that it was the duty of the Crown to undertake suci a prosecution. A deputation of prominent citizens thereupon went to Superintendent Thomson, who stated that it was not competent for him to undertake the prosecution, but he had no doubt, if representation were made to the Wellington authorities, action might be taken. This course will be If this fails it is stated that ia ail probability a fund wiil be raised for the prosecution by public subscription.