SENSATIONAL DIVORCE CASE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2437, 28 November 1900, Page 18

SENSATIONAL DIVORCE CASE.

CHARGES AGAINST A SOLICITOR. MANUFACTURING EVIDENCE.

SYDNEY, November 20. The Rev. Father O'Haran applied for a writ of attachment against a small newspaper for commenting on the Coningham v. Coningham .divorce suit, in which the applicant is joined as co-respondent, in a "manner likely to prejudice the case. The paper alleged that there was a rumour that efforts were being made to settle the case out of court. The applicant absolutely denied that he,, or anyone on Ms behalf, had offered to settle. A rule was ! made calling on the proprietor to show cause on Friday. A sensation was caused by the arrest of • Ernest Abigail, solicitor, in connection with j the Coningham case, on an information laid ! by Father O'Haran, charging Abigail with j endeavouring to induce Thomas Coogan to j make certain, false statements. Abigail's ! counsel declared that the principal witness of the prosecution was sent to try and trap Abigail, and that the whole power of the Church of Rome was used against his client. A remand was granted till Monday, bail being fixed at £200. November 23. The court declined to grant the Very Rev. Father O'Haran's application for a writ of attachment against a newspaper. The judge held that the writer had no intention to prejudice the case. It was unnecessary to impose a penalty Ibeyond the costs of' the proceedings. • November 26. - Ernest Abigail, solicitor, was charged with endeavouring to persuade Thomas Coogan to make a false statement in connection with the Coningham divorce case. Coogan, in his evidence, said Abigail was ■a friend, and came to his residence. The Coningham case cropped up in conversation. Abigail said, " I wish I had you as a witness." To Coogan's objection that lie knew nothing about the case, he said that was no matter. He could fix him up. All he wanted witness to say was -that they saw Dr O'Harran and Mrs Coningham in a certain place. He would give a couple of hundred sovereigns. Next morning witness called at the office of the Rev. Father O'Harran's counsel, and made a statutory declaration with regard to Abigail's offer. A cpuple of days afterwards, by arrangement, Abigail again visited the house of Coogan, who had two men hidden in the kitchen, and two outside the window, where they could hear the conversation. "" Abigail asked if Coogan intended to accept his offer. Coogan said it all depended on the terms. Abigail replied that 'he might ■make an offer of £500 or go whacks in whatever was got out of the case. He asked Trim. to see a number of other people, and offer them monetary inducements to appear as witnesses. He mentioned that tie would make it worth £1000. He told Coogan to be very careful not to mention the matter to anyone. He added that after the case was over ■ Coogan would have to change his name, or he might get shot. Abigail told Mm he had got Coningham coached, and Mrs Coningliam could not be squared. Witness, under pretence that he might forget, got Abigail to put these facts in writing, and next day handed this document to O'Harran's counsel. ' < Four witnesses jiidden about Coogan's

house gave corroborative evidence of the conversation. The case was adjourned until to-morro^