THE HALL CASE.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1371, 15 October 1886, Page 3

THE HALL CASE.

In this case yesterday Constable Hicks gave evidence after Inspector Broham and Detective Birby had been examined. He said that after the arrest of the accused they were taken to the Sergeant’s office at the police station. He heard Ball say to Miss Houston, “ Yow are quite safe, and will be able to get clear. It is I that is in for it. I cannot possibly get off.” Witness did not hear Miss Houston make any reply. Witness subsequently cut the pockets out of Hall’s trousers, and handed them to Detective Kirby. Constable Strickland gave evidence as to what occurred at the time of the arrest.

Constable Daly had taken charge of various articles, and conveyed them to Professor Black at Dunedin. Constable Egan said bo went with others to Hall’s bouse on August 15. While there Inspector Broham sent him for some brandy to give to Hall He got some from Mrs Ellison, but as Inspector Broham thought it had a peculiar colo-, witness got some branuy elsewhere Inspector Broham took charge of that which witness had got from Mrs Ellison Constable Casey deposed to receiving from Inspector BrohEtm at Hall’s house a quantity of kero ene and rags. Professor Black made an analysis of 15 articles brought to him in Dunedin by Constable Daly. No 1 was tartar emetic, which was a poison, it containing anti mony. No. 2 pockets Horn Hall’s trousers) he wrung in distilled water, and in the solution he found tartar emetic. NosrS and 4 contained tartar emetic. No. 5, a small portion of a white substance, containing tartar emetic. No 6, tartar emetic. No. 7, saltpetre. No. '8 weak lime water. No. 9, sub-nitrate of bismuth. No. 10 (brandy) he did not examine exhaustively. He found no antimony, and

ho did not examine it for anything exmineral poison. In brandy subsets Ifently examined by Pr Ogstoa and himself, colclncum was found to be present. No 11, water. No. 12 (half cork) minute traces of tartar emetic adhering No. 13 (ice water) strong solution of tartar emetic No 14 (vomit) contained antimony. No 15 (urine) also contained antimony. Witness received other articles from Oontable Egan. H heae comprised a colander, piece of flannel, gauze, and ‘sacking. He examined them for antimony, but found none He received at same time and place a phial containing vomit. He examined this and found antimony. He received other articles from Pr Mclntyre in his own laboratory. At this stage the Court adjourned till next day.

TO-DAY’S PROCEEDINGS.

Christchurch, October 15

The prisoners as the case proceeds have anxiety more strongly visible on their faces. Miss Houston’s face this morning looked drawn and thinner, while the male prisoner was also more distressed andwrs allowed to fit.

The examination of Professor Black by the Attorney-General was continued. He said he found no antimony in the asthma cigarettes taken by Broham from Ha’l’s bedroom, but he coni' not swear there might not be a trace. He examined evacuations of Mrs Hall, passed on various dates since the arrest. That of August 20th showed a trace of antimony ; those of Se ! tember 13th and 14th showed what was taken for a trace of antimony, but he would not swear antimony was present The object of the analysis was to show the elimination of antimony from the system since the arrest. Mr Joyot cross examined as to the analyses, especially of the ice-water, and the Professor detailed every step minutely.

In answer to Miss Houston’s counsel Professor Black said he had analysed a number cf packets In addition to Hall’s and had not found a trace of poison in any of them. Pr feasor Ogston described the symptoms of antlmonial poisoning and said colchicum produced extremely similar symptom?, in fact all irritant poisons had many symptoms io common. Some of Mr Joynt’s questions were in the direction of a possible attack on the (ndlc ment. aa to the cse of the word antimony. In answer to the Attorney-General Prr - feasor Ogston said he understood antimony was a generic term applied to the metal and its compounds, he also told Mr Joynt that if a person went to a chemist’s and asked for antimony he would r r calve Tartar emetic.

Mrs Hammoreley repeated her statement with regard to the cnp of tea and *finding a tin of bercalne in the loft.