A PECULIAR CASE.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XLVII, Issue 12283, 17 September 1904, Page 5

A PECULIAR CASE.

MOST SENSATIONAL CIRCUM-

STANCES

DUNEDIN, September 16. , At the Supreme Court to-day, a.case was commenced of an unusual nature. It was in the f6llll of a motion in 'tide matter of Tihomas Keenan/for a fule /nisi for! the issue of a writ of habeas' corpus. Keenan was a run-holder of Dunstan Creek, but is now residing at the Forbury Road, and ac believed :tofoave^ro-. perty worth, from £25,000-to' £30,000. He was seized by a Stroke; of paralysis, and asked A. H. Verrion '■ Kthg^heii'% bank manager, but now a gold buyer— \to look after ihis affairs. In March last KeerJan was removed to Dunedin, and 1 'iis living in Forbury Road, where three male servants attend on him.: It is alleged that, he is kept under restraint _by King, and that.foe iie cmnpletely under ■■ Ms influence. Affidavits Jwer© filed1 by /two Catholic priests', W. L. Simpson, and a sister of Keenan's recently from Ireland, to shknv that they were denied accesis to Keenan except with difficulty and thaib Keenan expressed ibis fear of being ill-treated by the attendants if they heard him complain, and thati.he had ex-, pressed a desire that W. L. Simpson should look after Ms interests ;and get statements of. accounts from King. _ On the other side, an 'affidavit was; filed by Keenan denying that ihe desired to take his affairs out of King's hands by King, wlio declared tlhait Ihe had .submitted the (Statements to Keenan. He was the Sole executor under Keenan'si wiill. Drs. U>l--quhoun and Roberta made affidavits that Keenan was capable of knowing his own business interests. Dr. Riley, who was (present when Keenan signed the affidavit, thought the man understood-the meaning and purport of. an ■affidavit. l)r. Church, the medical attendant : on Keenan, said the latter had expressed hr<* satisfaction with his surroundings, and attendance, and annoyance a* the proceedings being taken agams.t King. Evidence was given by Dr. Cuiurch. A. ±i. Vemon King was examined by Mr. J. F M Fra'ser as to his dealings with Kenan's money. 'He decided -to give some information, but admitted, that the money was transferred -foam-the .Bank of Ne^v South' Wales and placed m. the TM'on Bank to witness' account. - Betore seeking final judgment, Mr Fraser sugtrested that Keenan> should be teen by p©rson9..of,xo:.Piu!te—not doctors. - Justice Williaims/saiai the case^puld^inflt, irqst, where it TVas. ! He .thou^.the.affidavits. ■ made out a primafacro.case of .coercion which the other affidavit^^d not,o^but. A very nnsaltisfaetto-ry sAate. jof v thang^.. had been disclosed; andth 4 e J! oa^e;had i betr, ter L^tand over till Monday To see if -.it could be arranged -for two andependent persons to see Keenan.