The Coningham Divorce Case.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2953, 27 November 1900, Page 2

The Coningham Divorce Case.

COOGAN AND ABIGAIL AT COURT.

United Press Association—Per Electric Telegraph—Copyright. Received 11 p.m., November 26th. SYDNEY, November 26.

Ernest Abigail, a solicitor, was charged with endeavouring to persuade Thomas Coogan to make af false statement in connection with the Coningham divorce case. Coogan’s evidence was that Abigail as a friend 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 he knew nothing about the case Abigail said no matter, he could fix him up. All he wanted was al witness to say that he saw Dr O’Haran and Mrs Coningham in a certain place. He would give such a witness a couple of hundred sovereigns. Next morning witness called at the office of Dr O’Haran’s counsel and made a statutory declaration in regard to Abigail’s offer. A couple of days afterwards, by .arrangement, Abigail again visited the house of Coogan, who had two men hidden in the kitchen and two outside a window, where they could hear the conversation. Abigail askea rf Coogan intended to accept the offer. Coogan said that all depended on the terms. Abigail replied that he might make an offer of £SOO or cro whacks in whatever was got out of the case. Witness asked him to see a number of other people and offer then l monetary inducements to appear as witnesses. Abigail mentioned that he would make it worth £IOOO. and i< dd Googar to be very careful not to mention it to anyone. He added that after the ease was over Coogan might have a change of name or might get shot. He fob] wit ness that he had got Coningham coached -, nd Mrs Coningham roidd ti"t be som™ ’ Witness, imvW n ireV’i"

forget, got Abigail to i>’’t tlm-m <V-*s b writing. Next day he handed this document to Dr O’Haran's counsel. The four witnesses who were hidden by Coogan gave corroborative evidence of the conversation. The case was adjourned until to-morrow.