CHARGED WITH PERJURY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 73, Issue 450, 16 December 1930, Page 7

CHARGED WITH PERJURY

POWER BOARD EMPLOYEE. ECHO OF FATAL CASH. [Per Press Association.] GISBORNE, NDcc. 15. On October 27 a Power Board employee named Eric Francis Mackay took a Power Board van from a job on the Showgrounds and, in company with a companion named Thomas Martin Corcoran, travelled to Makaraka. When they were returning and were just outside the Showgrounds gate the van capsized and Corcoran was killed. At. the inquest Mackay stated that at the time of the van overturning Corcoran was driving. The Coroner, Mr P. H. Harper S.M.. held, however, that the van was driven by Mackay and not by Corcoran. A sequel was the appearance at the Magistrate’s Court this morning before Mr Harper of Eric Francis Mackay, who was charged that on November 19 (the day of the inquest) he committed perjury by falsely sw'earing that Corcoran was the driver of the van. After a lengthy hearing the Magistrate said that a prima facie case had been made out. Accused pleaded not guilty and was .wmmitte'’ to the Supreme Court for trial. After the inquest Mackay was charged with negligently driving the van, thereby causing the death of Corcoran, but this afternoon Detective McLeod sai<] that he would offer no evidence on that charge, which was withdrawn.