WESTPORT MURDER TRIAL.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume LIX, Issue 9933, 1 August 1908, Page 5

WESTPORT MURDER TRIAL.

CHARGES OF PERJURY

By Telegravh

— Fraxs Amtociauon.)

WESTPORT, Yesterday

Iv tiie perjury charge against Connelly, the accused gave evidence. He repeated his former .statements, with some additions. In examination, lie said lie had not, told a lie yet m this case, but before it came into Court he told a good many lies about Bourke's death. He told them in the hotel that he intended to take Bourko to lodgings. That was a lie. It was also a lie when he told Miss Bowriug lie hud loft Boarke opposite the theatre. When he told Murray lie had fallen over with Bourko at the corner, that was a lie. Wlhmj lie told the sergeant he had left him opposite Handly's shop, that was another lie. When he said ho had taken Bourke up the street as far as Hard ley's shop aud given him over to two men, but had only got his eye ou one fellow aud that lie could not recoguiso the other follow because he had his hack to him, that was a lie. When he told Black and Mcllveuey that he was the only man who had 'anything to do with Bourke , s death, that was a lie. Mr Bowling, Clerk of tho Conrt, was lying when hesaid witness swore m tha Magistrate's Court Hahueu's words to witness were : "Mind you don't let out who killed the man, or who kicked the man, or .somethiug like. that." He did not remember sa3 7 iu2 at Nelson these same words. Mrs Philips and Mrs Pearce were lying when they said that ouly two men crossed tho street to tho shell. Mrs Tom Pearce aud Lily Pearce were lying when they .said witness was in their kitchen at about 8.20 that night. If Murray swore these men did not; come into Qualters, ho was lying. Haakouson.Halineu and Andersen were lying when they said Haliuen and Anderson were not iv Qualtors. Toteuham aud Fraser wero lying when they stated witness said to them, after the' body was takeu away to tho morgue, that the wouuds wore caused by a knife. His only explanation of his positive denial of knowledge of Bourke was that he did not know the man's name. He did not know whether he gave a false name (King) when he was arrested tor window-breaking. He might have made a mistake when he marked the spot on the plan \yh«re prisoners met him. He had giveu no reason for the various lies. He was afraid Halinen was going to take his life. He did not complain to the gaoler, but told the inspector. At that time the men were under lock and key. He was at the police station, aud never mentioned a word about these threats until he had done his eight days. He did not speak about Bourke's death in gaol. It was Halineu who spoke. He did not swear he was five minutes away at the shed. It might have been five minutes, ten minutes or a quarter of au hour. He said he could not write, ouly his name. He did not write the letter produced, aud did not burn a letter to his mother. Questioned by his Worship as to the letter produced, tha signature on the letter was shown to him, aud he agaiu said it was uot his. He compared tho signature with tho signature to the deposition, aud then said he wrote his name, but uot the letter.

Counsel's address opeued this.morning, but Mr Hanau was overtaken by illness, and the Court adjourned till the afternoon.

The hearing has lasted twelve days