SUPREME COURT.

Timaru Herald, Volume XCVIII, Issue 170576, 5 August 1921, Page 8

SUPREME COURT.

/ POST' MISTRESS ACQUITTED,

OTHER PROCEEDINGS STAYED. Per Press Association. CHRISTCHURCH, Aug. 4. ’ The hearing of the charge ugiunst Julia Mane i< itzgerald, formerly postmistress at BlaoKuaii, lor having opened a postcard was resumed. Tlie accused said she first thought the charge against her was a joke. As soon as she discovered it was serious she got into touch with her superior officer in Greyniouth, Mr Redmond, the departmental inspector, wuu thought siio was guilty and advisod her to make an admission. He said that if she did not do so there would probably bo a Court case. She made it quite clear to Mr Redmond that she did not interfere with a letter. Hannah Campbell, sister of the accused, said the accused previously had looked after Gilmer’s books, handled all his money, and opened his letters. Witness told the accused not to sign the admission if she was not guilty. She said that she had been worried by Mr Redmond and iiad admitted the act. Accused was acquitted on the charge of having opened a postal packet at Blackball. Shortly after the jury had retired, Mr Gresson, Acting Crown Prosecutor, received a telegram from the SolicitorGeneral instructing him to enter a stay of proceedings in respect to the second charge against Miss Fitzgerald.