THREATS OF MURDER.

New Zealand Mail, 20 August 1902, Page 33

THREATS OF MURDER.

F t? vYIv MOORE AND THE ACTINGPREMIER.

At the Supreme Court on Monday morning, Francis Thomas Moore—who pleadeef guilty on Thursday last in the Magistrate’s Court to a charge of sending threatening letters to the ActingPremier —was brought up before Mr Justice Edwards for sentence. His Honor pointed out that an irregularity existed with regard to the papers in the case, as the information was not endorsed, as required by statute. Under the circumstances he could not deal with the case, as it did not come before him regularly. Mr Wilford, on behalf of the prisoner, suggested that the matter should be sent back to the Magistrate and taken up again at 2 o’clock. His Honor observed that it was the duty of the Crown to be properly represented. It was a very grave matter, and he was not going to dispose of it with any haste. Mr Wilford mentioned that he had witnesses from Johnsonville and other places with regard to the prisoners character, and it would be very convenient if the evidence could be taken that day, when the Drake case had finished. His Honor said he had no objection, but he was not to be taken as indicating any course.

Mr Gully, Crown Solicitor, undertook to have the necessary formalities complied with in the Magistrate's Court. This having been done, the prisoner was again brought before the Court during the afternoon. Mr Wilford called the following evidence as to character :

Henry Barber, Wellington, gave evidence that he had known the prisoner for the past seventeen or eighteen years. He had been in witness’s employment at the Wellington Meat and Refrigerat. mg Company, and had risen to be manager of the Meat Export Company’s works. Witness had been in constant touch with him, and knew him to be a man of quiet disposition, and of the highest character and ability. Prisoner had a great aptitude for writing letters, and it was witness’s impression that he had allowed himself to do this without ever recognising the seriousness of what he was doing. l„ Sl { r J °TT7nl' Ward was next called ”l3 r J llford ‘ He said: —l understand the prisoner had an interview t i mo about twelve months ago, but bav ? known him again by i f j' . T ke letter (produced) is my alK l 1 iden ti f y it as havr* - glve ? by me to the father of the prisoner, James Moore, on the 14tli aft-er L m ° nfch ‘ 1 was not aware until seeking Z? 3 * arrested that he had been nor T°nf et v ai } interview with me, lad I the slightest objection. I Rod ’ J °lmsonville, deposed to EE* kn °wn the prisoner twenty-five !atirmJ n -cr >Cl u* , as well as m business rewell w He J iad a ] ways been very quiet, Z\ a J ed ’ and very temperate. Wittfi l2+ W n °t acc °unt for him writing the letters, and on reading them, cam! studvf™ + nCluSlon , that he had been ffifeTaSSi. and ‘ hat his brai " Ex?n?w D i lnC t?’ f orernan of the Meat fcfS T^ orks > Ngahauranga, testified to ner^f^A 0 !? 11 acquainted with the prisohad n?L tho i, past slxteea years. Moore to S b6en a Dliiet, good-tempered llever kao w him to he times TT^ Ut b 0 was very irritable at written thn Co^f Mcred that prisoner had tation v, lu a moment of irrisEVSisijg ir " XMi ° n °* tnenf }■ b cai |’ t kave l>cen a motwo ’ becauso there are Mr W'u °5 different dates. Witnes^ 1^ be examined these ■ ses more with regard to tho se-

cond letter, as the first, written on a card, was like a man saying, “I’ll kill you at 5 o’clock in the morning.” His Honor: The card may be a form of politeness, perhaps, but I shall take it as intent to kill.

John Chapman gave corroborative evidence as to the prisoner’s good character during the past twenty-seven years, and added that lie would place no weight on the threat.

Similar evidence was given by George Manson.

William H. Field, solicitor, testified to having been in intimate association with the prisoner for some years. After Moore’s appointment to report on the meat industry he got an idea that ho was not only to report on but to reform the industry. As a result he had begun addressing meetings and writing to newspapers; and 'was"hauled up oy the Department of Industry, and told to confine himself to simple reports. Witness had been of the same opinion as the prisoner with regard to some of the schemes advocated. It was apparent to him that the prisoner chafed under the restrictions imposed by the department. - He complained of his hands, being tied, and expressed his intention to resign and join a new company, the Meat Producers’ Association. Prisoner expressed a strong desire to see Sir Joseph Ward, and on more than one occasion complained of being unable to carry out his desire—being apparently very much irritated oyer his failure. Witness had assured him that Sir Joseph was very busy, tut would see him, no doubt, as soon. n,s work slackened. He had also seemed irritated at certain criticisms in the House regarding his appointment, but on witness showing him “Hansard”— that there was not much about the waiter—lie was satisfied. That was the last time witness had seen him before the writing of the letters, and he had again expressed his strong desire to see Sir Joseph. Witness believed that the writing of the letters was dictated by a desire to force an interview. The prisoner had been very much accustomed to having his own way, as lus brothers and parents always gave into him; and as a result, he had been rather spoiled. Witness did not believe the man had any intention of carrying out his threat, and he had told Sir Joseph that.

The witness Manson, recalled, said he remembered being in the Parliamentary Buildings when the letter was written, about the 20th July, and was present when the messenger came out and told Moore lie “could not see him to-night.” Witness knew from the conversation who Moore had been waiting to see.

James Joseph Moore, brother of the prisoner, deposed to a conversation with the prisoner on the telephone the night before the writing of the last letter. It was about 7 p.m. when the prisoner rang up, and told him he was not going on very well. Witness pointed out tliat he was not dependent on the Government or the farmers, and advised him to give up his agitation, as he had plenty of talent and energy to get along in some other occupation. Prisoner had agreed to see him on the Saturday at Johnsonville to make arrangements. Witness expressed his astonishment at reading the letters afterwards, and thought that something had happened in the meantime to irritate him, and that lie had taken the step as a last shot at Sir Joseph Ward to get what he wanted. Witness would not pay any heed to the threats. He had never known liis brother to use any before, and he was prepared to go hail for his good behaviour.

Mrs Lucy Barnett gave evidence that the accused had been boarding with her for three months before his arrest. She had seen the letter of the 13th August before it was sent to Sir Joseph Ward. The accused had shown it to her, and told her he was going to send it. She told- him not to do so, hut he told her it was only a joke, done to get attention from the Government. He had afterwards sent the letter.

Sir Joseph Ward stated that he would like to add, from information he had since received, that it had struck him that probably the prisoner was led into the irritation referred to by entire misconception on his part, or to some < ctent, at all events. It might he quite possible from the information placed before him by the prisoner’s immediate relatives and friends. Witness understood that the man was of opinion he was being burked in some way. in the work he had in hand. Witness had since been informed that the prisoner was under the impression that someone connected with the meat industry with whom he had differences of opinion was exercising some influence over him (Sir Joseph) in connection with the prisoner’s special work. He desired to say that he had no communication with anybody from the time of Moore’s employment concerning his work, nor did anyone c/er communicate with him except the head of the department in which the prisoner worked. Apparently this had led him to form the conclusion that his report to the Government was being kept back. Such was rot the case. The report, which had been sent in by the head of the department some weeks ago, he (Sir Joseph) considered very able, and it had been sent to the Government Printing Office, in order that it might be read by -him before Parliament. He had not yet received it, and consoauently had not been able

to lay it on the table of the House. Upon that point tho prisoner had evidently felt some irritation. Witness could have informed him or any of his friends what the position of affairs was. Witness was also quite certain upon the question of the payment of prisoner’s money some gross misrepresentation must have been made, as the prisoner assumed that he had stopped payment, which was not the case. As a matter of fact, the only delay was that some vouchers for travelling expenses were in the Audit Office. There was no question of keeping back his salary. From what had been stated since, witness was of opimon that prise nor came to wrong conclusions, and was carried away by them; and he did not attach tlie same importance to the letters now as previously. He did not know the accused or any of his friends, and the conclusion he came to after receiving the second letter was that he should hand it over to the proper authorities.

His Honor asked what might the result be if the prisoner came to a similar wrong conclusion about some other matter ? It did not matter 'what conclusion the man came to, he must not do that •’*t of thing. Somebody had to occupy public positions, “ and those whose duty it was to do so should be protected.

Mr Wilford asked to have the prisoner allowed to make a statement. His Honor was not prepared to hear one at that stage. Putting the best construction on the matter, he would have the man medically examined. He would then have a great deal more information than he possessed at present. The witnesses examined as to character had stated that they had never known of him to make use jf threats, and that they would not have suspected him of writing a threatening letter, or carrying out his threats, but he had done so, and there it was. He would remand the prisoner for a week, and have him medically examined in the meantime. He also desired to know more about faith-healing by Moore that had been referred to.

The prisoner was accordingly remanded for examination.