OVER THE WIRE.

Te Aroha News, Volume XLI, Issue 6573, 7 February 1925, Page 8

OVER THE WIRE.

ALLEGED FRAUD CASE THE JURY DISAGREES ! An unusual story was told to the Supreme Court at Wellington when Alfred Joseph Fogarty was accused of false' pretences. Fogarty pleaded not guilty, and his case was conducted by Mr N. E. Watson. Mr P. S. K. Macassey represented the Crown, and the Chief Justice (Sir Robert Stout) was on the bench. < The case was outlined by Mr Macassey, who said that accused was a canvasser and traveller for a monthly journal. On July 4th he asked Mr Jeremiah O’Meara, a Wellington settler, £pr £7fl, saying some people were coming to stay with him and he reqvired additional furniture. He told Mr O’Meara he had been to the money lenders, who wanted too much interest, but he added that Sir Joseph Ward would act as a guarantor for him. Later in the day Fogarty told O’Meara he had seen Sir Joseph and that “it was all right.” He asked Mr O’Meara to speak to Sir Joseph on the telephone and Mr O’Meara was led to believe he was speaking to Sir Joseph Ward. The voice at the other er.d told Mr O’Meara it would be all right to lend Fogarty the money. The money was not paid back and the Crown suggested that Fogarty had a confederate at the other end of the wire, as Sir Joseph knew nothing of the affair.

•Accused did not go into the witness box, but his counsel addressed the, jury, and suggested that the person who spoke from the Royal Oak might have said he was Sir Joseph Ward speaking. His Honour, summing up, said it would be difficult to find a stronger case. The jury retired shortly before 4 o’clock and returned four hours later having been unable to agree. A new trial was ordered.