A CHARGE DISMISSED.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XIV, Issue 841, 19 April 1906, Page 20

A CHARGE DISMISSED.

In connection with the recent hearing of some llegally on the premises cases at the Thames Police Court a charge of perjury against Andrew McLeod was proceeded with. Constable Morris gave evidence corroborating that given by a previous witness regard ng the statement made by the accused on oath during the hearing of the charge against him on March 19. Witness said he was present at the Salutation Hotel on the night of February 17. McLeod was ouside the door and not in the passage at all as he had stated. He (witness) heard Sergeant Darby ask Mr. Brownlee to put McLeod off the premises, and he did so by taking him by the shoulders and putting h'im out. McLeod was the worse for drink at the time. After further evidence had been heard the accused said that although the evidence appeared to be contrary -to the statements made by him on oath during the hear ng of the case against him on March 19, he had not intentionally said anything to mislead the Court. He contended that he had not been put out by Mr. Brownlee, as no force had been used. He had simply gone out under persuasion. With regard to the evidence in which he stated that he was halfway up the passage he had evidently mistaken the outer passage or porch for the inner one, hence the mistake. It was, however, only a mistake and not perjury. He would ask the members of the Court to visit the premises and satisfy themselves whether the mistake was not a natural one. At this stage the Court adjourned with a view of inspecting the premises. On resuming again at 2 p.m., the Bench stated that having viewed the premises they thought there was a certain amount of doubt as to whether or not the accused was under a misapprehension, and decided that there was no case to send before a jury. The case was dismissed.