THE J. G. WARD ASSOCIATION.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6120, 5 March 1898, Page 5

THE J. G. WARD ASSOCIATION.

[Fsr Press Association.] DUNEDIN, March 4. At a sitting in Chambers, the adjourned matter of the petition for an order directing the liquidator to institute a prosecution against the Hon J. G. Ward and Mr John Fisher came before Mr Justice Williams. Mr Woodhouse, for the liquidator, said that possibly his Honor would be asked to declare that some portion of the assets of the J. G-. Ward Association were free assets. These would not amount to more than the costs already incurred. Mr W. C. Macgregor, who appeared in support of the petition, said that it had first to be decided whether a prosecution should be directed and out of what funds the costs should be paid. As Mr Brent, representing the Colonial Bank liquidators, was not prepared to go on, the matter was adjourned till Tuesday next. A number of affidavits have been filed in the case, which are intended to show, on the one side, that a written offer was made to withdraw the petition if Mr Ward would make a public apology for anything he had said against the reputation or character of Mr Thomas Fleming, and, on the other, that the alleged offer was really a memorandum that had been prepared by Mr Fleming, as the basis of a settlement, at the urgent request of one of Mr Ward'a friends, for submission to the gentleman who had signed the petition. Mr Fleming alleges that the memorandum was obtained from him by Mr M'Caughan by trickery.