THE SOCIETY SCANDAL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 10328, 8 April 1895, Page 2

THE SOCIETY SCANDAL.

OSGAR WILDE ARRESTED.

Press Aasociationr-By Teleuraph-<fopyrißht. Londoh,'April 5. The charge of }ibel'against the Marquis of Qaeensberry < finished to-day, a verdict of "Not guilty" being returned. ,; The jury considered that the charges made by the Marquis of Qaeensberry were of public benefit. Wilde's connsel withdrew from tho case, and Wilde himself left the .court while his counsel vras explaining that plaintifiE'a literatara and letters, justified the plea of the defenca that Wilde posed as ah immoral person. He explained that the" reasoa he withdrew, from the case, was-go as. to avoid the appalling evidence whiolr would b's adduced. The verdict was received with loud cheers; ./. : ■, .. ' . : ,• . :■',\ ,:■ ' OouDael for t he Marquis of Queensberry has cent the public prosecutor's statement of the witnesses and notes on the evidence in order to pravent a miscarriage of justice, and later in the. day Oicar Wilde was arrested.- :'< y: ■' :-' \' '■. '_; .'.,•■•, ' ■'■.:,.; •'

'' ' . '■:.. v;v .' '■.■.':■'■' :■:''■ . ■ '■-~ .•: Aprii 6. :. ' Oicar Wilde publishes a Utter Btatirig that he abandoned the case in order to avoid placing Lord Douglas in the1 witness: box. After the warrant bad been issued for Wilde's arrest the • police: detained three essential witnesses. Lord Donglas.and two men remained in i conference ,witU Wilde at tho Viaduct: Hotfel, Holboritj for several hours after, tho. trial, .and lunched together' in a private room/ Subsequently they drove to the bank'i'where'Wilde withdrew; »; large sum "of \money. He was then lost sight of until arrested in the evening at the hotel in Sibane street..;,';'. '•;"■ ■■:•'/;:•.':.

LbrS l)otiglas Was much distressed whea he found ho wa.9 rinable to bail Wildaont.:

After the trial the Marquis pf Qaaeasberry sent Wilde a msstiage stating that he would shoot him if he took hiason abroad.!.''-' Taylor also has been\arrested, and iWill be charged in • conjunction "with Wilde.'The latlerV ' name has been withdrawn from the playbills ofrLqndonand American theatres. 'i'v-'r- ■,'■,■'