ALLEGED FALSE PRETENCES.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIC, Issue 13904, 15 May 1909, Page 6

ALLEGED FALSE PRETENCES.

THE HALLETT-CLIEEORD CASE. Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, May 14. The charge against Ethel. May Hallett of obtaining £('so by means of false pretences from Walter" Clifford, sheepfarmer, was heard at the Supreme Court to-day. •• The facts of the case were given considerable publicity in March last, •when accused, who was going under the name of Campbell-Bannerman, and was on intimate terms with a number of prominent people was arrested and committed for trial.

Before the jury retired ' prisoner made the following statement: —"After having in three places tried hard to earn an honest living, I arrived in Christchurch where I first met Mr Clifford. He was introduced to me at Warner's Hotel. He seemed to like me and we met subsequently, when ho gave me £2O. He said he hoped I would see him if I came to Wellington, but he asked me not to say I had met him before. When I met him at his own house in Hobson street and was introduced to him again, I concealed the fact thai I had known him before. Ho called <n me at the Grand Hotel before he left. Ho told me he was going away for a few days and if I was in want of any money he would help me. I saw him on several occasions. He took me to the races and introduced me to many people on the lourso. He took me round the course and I lunched with him and others in the members' luncheon room. We were snapshotted on the lawn together. On the Trentbam railway station Mr Clifford introduced me to prominent racing officials as his foster dnufhter. We had a party of seven at dinner at the Grnud Hotel that night. T booked to Christchurch with Mrs ,Deuniston and Mr Clifford stated that he would be down on the Thursday following. I was in need of money for with the entertainment to which I was treated and the rush of people to call on me. I had no decent frocks for the occasion. Remembering Mr Clifpromise I ordered goods at the. 1).1.C., and when they demanded the money from me, I had to fall back on him for a loan. I went to his house for it and was informed that he was at the Wellington Club. I drove there with Mrs Denniston and got a gentleman from Christchurch to bring Mr Clifford out to the hansom. I showed him the D.I.C. bill and he said, placing his hand on mv shoulder —'My little £OO or £IOO if you wish it.' I thanked him and said" I would bo ■.dad of £OO. He told me to drive to the bank and when he got the money he gave it To me. I never obtained money through any untrue statements and Mr Clifford knows very well what I say is true. I wrote telling him I would pay him back as I have a, large sum of money coming to me on June 2nd, when 1 will be 21 years old. This my advocate (Mr Wilford) can wove. 1 am prepared to give Mr Clifford an order for his money, and I think, considering what he said to me. he has been Very unkind to me. People who are xinknown to me went bail for me when I was committed for trial, and had I felt I had done any wrong to Mr Clifford I would not have ''•iced the trial: bet I know and he. knows ouite well that he should not have had me arrested. T belike he is sorrv for it now. 1 never called my-

'self jMiss Oii-mplirll-IJiiniieriiiiin to him as lie now admits." Tlio jury jitter deliberating tor ono hour returned a. verdict, of not guilty.