THE MEAGHER-NORTON FEUD.

Pahiatua Herald, Volume VI, Issue 732, 7 December 1898, Page 2

THE MEAGHER-NORTON FEUD.

Sidelights on a Famous Case By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright. Per Press Association. Sydney, December 5. The hearing of the charge agains* John Norton, editor of the “ Sydney Truth,” of having attempted tj shoot Richard Meagher, M.L.A., after having been horse-whipped by the latter in one of the main city tliorougbfares, was continued to-day'. The accused’s cross-examination of Meagher threw many interesting sidelights on the famous Dean poisoning case. Meagher—who, it will be remembered, was struck off the roll of solicitors by the bupreme Court in connection with the case—claimed that he had proved his innocence. He explained that he told his partner, Mr Crick, of Dean's confession to him. WheD he made his famous declaration of Dean’s guilt, after Crick’s arrest for conspiracy, he did so because iu Crick's opinion the facts were against them, hut said that he would stand by Dean Crick, however, would not I consent, because they would, he j thought, be sure to lose. He promised Meagher that if the latter 1 would make a declaration, he would give him an interest in his (Crick's i legal business for the rest of his life. This lie refused, and said be would I light the matter out to the bitter i end. Crick then sent for Meagher's ] wife and laid the facts before her, together with what purported to be a communication from the Attorney- I General to the effect that if they declared Dean guilty, Crick and Meagher would be discharged when they came before the Court. The witness went on to declare that when he made a fuller declaration exonerating everybody except himself and Dean, the document was as inucli Crick’s concoct ion ns his. Later. The trial has ended in the acquittal of Norton.