MAY HALLET’S CASE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2503, 17 May 1909, Page 3

MAY HALLET’S CASE.

STATEMENT BY THE ACCUSED

[Per Press - Association.]

■ u . • WELLINGTON, May 14. • Before the jury retired in the May Hal let case ,the prisoner made the following statement: “After having in three places tried hard to earn an honest living, I arrived in Christchurch, where I first met Mr Clifford. He was introduced to me in Warner’s hotel. He seemed to like me, and wo met subsequently. He gave me £2O. He said lie hoped I would see him if I came to Wellington, but he asked me not to say I had met him before when I met him at his own house in Hobson street and was introduced to him again. I concealed the fact that I had known -liim, before..fie called en me at the Grand hotel. Before be left he told me lie was going away for a few days, and if I was in want of money he would help mo.. I saw him on several occasions. Ho took me to the races, and introduced mo to many people on the course. He took me round the course, and I lunched with him and others in the stewards’ luncheon room. Wc were snapshotted on the lawn together. On the Trentham railway station Mr Clifford introduced me to prominent racing officials as his foster daughter. We had a party of seven at dinner at the Grand hotel that night. I booked to Christchurch with Mrs Denniston,, and Mr Clifford stated that he would he down the Thursday following. I waa in need of money, for with tho entertainment and the rush of people to call on me. I had no decent frocks for the occasion. Remembering Mr Clifford’s promise, I ordered goods at the D.1.C., and when they demanded the money from jifie I had to on 11 on him for - a loan. I '.rent to his house for it, an<t was informed that he was at tho Wellington Club. I drove there with Mrs Dennisfon, and got a gentleman from Christchurch to bring Mr Clifford out to the hansom. I showed him the D.I.C. bill, and he said, placing liis hand on my shoulder, “My little girl, £SO or £IOO if you wish it.” I thanked him, and said I would be glad of £SO. lie told mete drive to the bank, and when he got the money he gave it to me. I never obtained money through any untrue statements, and •4r Clifford knows very well what I say is true. I wrote telling him 1 would pay him back, as .[ have a large sum of money coming to me on June 2, when I will be 21 years old. This my advocate, Mr Wilford, can prove. I am prepared to give Mr Clifford an orcloi for his money; and I think, eonsiderwhat he said to me, he has been very unkind to me. People who are unknown to me went bail for mo when I was committed for trial. Had J lelt I had done any wrong to Mr Clifford I would not have faced the trial, but J know he knows quite well that ho should not have had me arrested. 1 believe he is sorry for it now. I never cal’ed myself Miss Campbell Bannerman to him, as he now admits. The jury, after an hours deluxention. found a verdict of not guilty.