COUSENS COMMITTED FOR TRIAL ON HIGH TREASON CHARGE
MAGISTRATE’S DOUBTS UNUSUAL SCENES, AND ACCUSED ADMITTED TO BAIL
Recd. 9.50 p.m. ' Sydney, Oct. 4. Extraordinary scenes were witnessed in the Central Court to-day, when the Magistrate, Mr. Farrington, comnutted Major Charles Hughes Cousens, aged 43. for trial on a charge of high treason while a prisoner-of-war in Japan.
About 40 people, most of whom attended throughout the 24 days hearing, rushed from the back of the Court and gathered about Cousens, shaking him by the hand and patting him on the back.
The magistrate said he doubted whether prosecutions of this nature could be brought in New South Wales. It might be that the Attorney General would decline to file a Bill. He had decided that there was a prima facie case to answer, and a decision was now up to a jury. He ordered Cousens to be held in custody of the Court rather than to be returned to his cell. Bail was fixed at £5OO.
This is described by the Chief Justice, Sir Frederick Jordan, as almost unprecedented indulgence after a committal for trigs on a charge of high treason. Bail was not opposed.
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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/WC19461005.2.32
Bibliographic details
Wanganui Chronicle, 5 October 1946, Page 5
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195COUSENS COMMITTED FOR TRIAL ON HIGH TREASON CHARGE Wanganui Chronicle, 5 October 1946, Page 5
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