PERJURY ADMITTED.

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 192, 14 August 1931, Page 6

PERJURY ADMITTED.

Gave False Evidence in Divorce Case.

ALLEGATION OF THREATS. (Special to the “Star.”) NEW PLYMOUTH. August 13. Alleging that they had been influenced to make false statements on oath by threats that their throats would be cut, Ada Ridley and William Edward Walker admitted in the Police Court that they gave perjured evidence in a divorce suit heard at New Plymouth on February 1931. They were committed for sentence to the Supreme Court next week. Both were allowed bail, the woman in her own recognisance of £SO and the man in his own bond of £SO and one surety of £SO, a condition being that he should report himself to the police daily. The prosecution, which was brought by direction of the Solicitor-General, arose out of a divorce petition heard by Mr Justice Adams and a jury of twelve at New Plymouth in February. Ridley and Walker then gave evidence on behalf of Harold Neaves Austin in his suit against Violet Eliza Austin (respondent) and William James Newell (co-respondent). The jury found in favour of the petitioner. On the ground that this verdict was against the weight of evidence an application was lodged for a new trial and this was granted by his Honor. Against this decision appeal was made, and it was when the matter was being argued before the Court of Appeal that there were produced the affidavits from which the police proceedings were instituted. Slept in Same House. Henry Gilmore Smith, registrar of the Supreme Court at New Plymouth, gave formal evidence. The action was originally set down for the November sessions, 1930, he said, but was stood over. It was eventually heard before a jury of twelve on February 18, 1931, and was defended. He recalled that Ridley had said she and her mother .slept in a house in Aubrey Street and that Newell and Mrs Austin slept together in another room. She had seen them in bed on many occasions. Newell kept his clothes in the room. Walker came to the house to see Ridley and when she was seeing him off the premises they would see the two in bed together and would sometimes call out “ good-night.” This continued till some time before Christmas. Newell left the room when the divorce papers were served and Ridley, so she said, then went in to »sleep w’ith Mrs Austin. Sometimes Mrs Austin would go into Newell’s room and on returning she would say where she had been.

Continuing, witness said that Ridley had said that a previous story related in Mr Croker’s office was untrue and was told because Newell had told her to tell it. Cross-examined by Mr Croker, she had said that part of her story in his office was true and part false, and the only true story was what she was telling the jury. Witness produced an affidavit sworn by Ridley on June 25, 1931, and filed in the Court of Appeal on June 29, 1931.

Violet Eliza Austin said that for the last two years she had been living apart from her husband. In May, 1929, she rented a house in Aubrey Street, where she went to live with her little girl and her mother, Mrs Murray. After witness had returned from a holiday she was told by Mrs Murray that Newell had come to board there. Newell continued to stay and the house was rented by her till March. Divorce papers were served on her and Newell. Witness denied as untrue the evidence of her sister regarding her relations with Newell. Witness had not lived with Newell as man and wife and had not committed adultery with him. She had not taken medicine.

William James Newell, co-respondent in the divorce proceedings, a waterside worker, denied improper relations with Mrs Austin and that he had asked Ridley to go to Mr Croker’s office and ‘'tell a lot of lies.” Detective Kearney said that on August 10 he served a summons on Ridley at her house in Doone Street. Walker was present and asked witness to read the summons. After he had done so, he gave Ridley the usual warning. She said she had told lies in evidence at the trial. Before the trial Austin promised her a trip to Dunedin, but he failed to do this and that was the reason she told the truth in the affidavit. On two occasions before the trial Austin threatened to cut her throat with the knife (produced). This was given witness by Walker, who obtained it from the pantry. The first time Austin threatened her was at Westown, Ridley had said. Walker was then present. The second time was in a house in Dawson Street. Austin was under the influence of liquor on each occasion. This concluded the police case against Ridley and, having pleaded guilty, she was committed for sentence. Evidence Against Walker. The charge against Walker was then heard, the procedure corresponding to that concerning Ridley. Evidence on similar lines to that already given was taken. Mr Greiner said that while Walker was in the office of Croker and M’Cormack awaiting the arrival of Messrs Croker and Monaghan he said he did not want 41 to go up on the hill again ” —meaning the gaol. In the presence of the three lawyers [ Walker said Newell had given him a hiding. Austin had promised him money but all he could get from Govett, Quilliam and Hutchen was a day's witness’s expenses. He said his reason for making the affidavit was to repair the wrong he had done Mrs Austin and Newell. Detective Kearney said that on August 10 he saw Walker at 7.5 p.m., at his house in Doone Street. He told Walker he had a warrant for his arrest on a charge of perjury. “ I expected this,” said Walker, and he asked that the warrant should be read to him. After the warrant was read the usual warning was given. Walker then said he had told lies at the trial because Newell had given him a hiding and because Austin had threatened to take his life with the knife produced. Walker had got it from the pantry. He said Austin had threatened him on two occasions with the knife. Austin had said that if Walker did not say Newell and Mrs Austin were living together as man and wife he would mt his throat. Ridley was present on each occasion the threat was made.