The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prevalebit. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 22, 1886. THE CAIN MYSTERY

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1377, 22 October 1886, Page 2

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prevalebit. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 22, 1886. THE CAIN MYSTERY

When, following the exhumation of the body of the late Captain Cain, the result of the analysis of the remains was premiaturely published, we were among the first to protest against the impro priety of such a proceeding, as being calculated to operate to the prejudice of the two persons then about to take their trial, and of whom fyis since been proved innocent of the crime laid to their charge. This premature publications has since been stringently condemmed by Mr Justice Johnston, the fault being in so many words laid at the door of the Government, although at the same time, His Honor said that the exhumation itself was quite a proper proceeding and, we may add, quite a necessary one in view of the suspicions that were abroad as to the late Captain having come to his death by unfair means. While, however, it was manifestly improper that the result of the autopsy should have been made known, either wholly or partially, before the conclusion of the recent trial it is now, on the other hand, most desirable and necessary that the whole truth should be told. If the alleged finding of large quantities of antimony is incorrect, let the authorities say so at once, and if, on the other hand, it is true that large quantities of this poisonous substance were discovered, proving that murder has been committed, then in the interests of justice let the fact be known. But we demand more than this. If the authorities have any sufficient evidence to connect any known person with the administration of the poison surely proceedings should be at once taken against the offender, lest public suspicion should attach to any who may be wholly innocent. We confess that we cannot understand the silence which is now preserved with regard to the matter ; indeed it seems to us that whereas those who are in authority were 100 ready of speech when they should have held their peace, they are now dumb when it is incumbent upon them to speak out. Surely after the proceedings which have been taken, after the exhumation and autopsy of which such sensational reports have appeared, and after the statements which have been made upon the authority of a Minister of the Crown as to the alleged ascertained results, things are not to be allowed to rest where they are. It is just as unfair and improper to hush up the matter now as it was to prematurely publish it abroad.

Since writing the above we are in receipt of the following telegrams on the subject. From Wellington the Press Association wires that “ The Crown solicitors are now engaged in working up the necessary evidence into all the circumstances attending the last illness and ultimate death of the late Captain Cain, of Timaru, whose body was recently exhumed. As soon as sufficient facts are established, the further steps intended to be taken by the authorities will be made known.” On the other hand, a message of the same date from Dunedin says that “ No decision has been come to yet regarding a prosecution on the charge of poisoning Captain Cam.’ 1