MURDER TRIAL.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19165, 23 November 1927, Page 11

MURDER TRIAL.

BOAKES FACES CHARGE DETECTIVES IN WITNESSBOX. SEARCHING CROSS-EXAMINA-TION. New light was thrown on some of the circumstances associated with the Eurwood murder at the trial of Charles William Boakes, in which the taking of evidence was concluded at the Supreme Court yesterdaj afternoon. Testimony which had not been adduced at the hearing in the Lower Court, relating to the discovery of the body, was forthcoming, and the new evidence of the lad Mugford, "who was first on the scene, as to the disappearance of a man from the immediate vicinity of the body on his arrival, aroused interest in the crowded galleries. Numerous taxi-drivers employed by the same company as that for which Boakes was working at the time of the murder gave details of their observations of the accused's associatiou with the girl Ellen Gwendoline Isobel Scarff. In the afternoon Mr Thomas subjected .police witnesses to a most searching cross-examination with reference to their methods in obtaining statements from Boakes' and King, the chemist's assistant, who was treated as a hostilo witness by Mr Donnelly on the first day of the trial. Mr Thomas elected to call no evidence for the defence, after the case for the prosecution had been concluded, and the Judge, appreciating the vitiation of the Court atmosphere by the thronged attendance, coupled with the lack of ventilation, announced shortly before 3.30 p.m. his decision to adjourn until this morning, when counsel will address the jury. After that his Honour will, of course, sum up, and the jury will retire to ariivc at a verdict. The case is being heard before Mr Justice ddams. Mr A. T. Donnelly, Crown Prosecutor, is. conducting the case for the Crown, and Mr C. S. Thomas, with him as second counsel, Mr M. J. Burns, is appearing for the accused. The Charges. Boakes, who is 37 years of age, is charged that he did, on or about June loth, 1927, at Burwood, near Christchurch, murder Ellen Gwendoline Isobel Scarff, and that on or about May 16th, 1927, at Christchurch, he did unlawfully supply a no.LK uf= thing, ergot, to one Ellen Gwendoline Isobel Scarff, knowing that the same was to be unlawfully used. The major count is being dsalr with at the licariug. Prisoner has pleaded not guilty to the charge. I On the application made by Mr i Tnomus on tho first day, witnesses remained out of Court until called. Thomas George Lewis, proprietor of the Federal Hotel, said he saw the girl Scarff on two occasions when she was I staying at his hotel. She paid her acI count between 12.30 p.m. and 1 p.m. ~on June 14th;-with'a £5 ; note. Leslie James Arps, taxi-driver, said he knew the girl Scarff from about last Christmas, when Boakes introduced her to him. He,. Boakes, and the girl Scarff, together with a fourth girl named Capes, went down to Dallington that evening. He was on the Clock Tower stand, but three months ago was on the Grand Theatre stand. He had seen the girl Scarff about the latter stand, speaking to accused. On June 14th he saw Miss Scarff'about 6 p.m. on the stand. Witness was speaking to her for about five minutes. When she left Bhe went towards the tram shelter. Boakes was away at the time. To Mr Thomas: The trip to Dallington was before Christmas. It' was soon after 8 p.m. and dark. They went to a pretty lonely spot near the bridge. Man by the Body. Eric Horace Mugford, 15 years o'f age, of Lake terrace road, Burwood, said that about 1.30 p.m. on June loth he was driving some cows along that road. Some of them ran into the broom on the side of the road. He was riding and went in after 'bem. A few yards from the road he saw a human leg sticking out of the broom, and he went away, returning with the Rev. Mr Tobin. To Mr, Thomas: He had seen Mrs Delamain, 'a storekeeper, first. She told him to see Mr Tobin, who lived quite close, on the corner. Did you tell Mr Tobin something more? —No. Was there someone else at the body when you came up?— Yes, at the head. It vas a man? —Yes. You told the Rev. Mr Tobin?—Yes. The man was kneeling at her head?— Yes. You told him he had his back towards you?— Yes. At no time did the man turn round and face you,—No, he didn't face me. Did you tell Mr Tobin that as you came to the body, this man turned and rushed into the broom?— Yes. It was impossible for you to recognise the man because you did not see his face?— Yes. He was a smaller man than Boakes? 'Did' he go into the pathway or the solid broom?— The solid broom.

And he crashed away; you never saw him again?—No, sir. This man would be my build but shorter? —Yes. . You realise the tremendous importance of your evidence in a trial of this sort?— Yes. You realise the terrible effect of telling lies? —Yes. And what you have told the ]ury is true? —Yes. , , You told the Rev. Mr Tobin that, and the police also?— Yes, sir. How close would you be to the man when he jumped up! Mr Thomas here walked up to the wit-ness-box and then stepped back, tthen about three or four yards away the witness said, "Stop!" It was a distance of ten or eleven feet?— Yes. , „ Had the man an overcoat on .—we didn't ba.ve an overcoat on, but an ordinary coat. . • „, *l It was evidently bis hearing the crashing of your horse that put him to flight?— Yes. Mr Donnelly: What police officer did you tell this to? Was it Detective-Ser-geant Young?—! think so sir. Mr Donnelly and Mr Thomas had a brief consultation before the cross-ex-amination was resumed. Mr Donnelly: You showed the Detec-tive-Sergeant where the man went through the scrub?—les. At the Scene. Cecil Alexander Tobin, Church of England clergym,n, living at Burwood said that at 1.25 p.m. on June loth the

previous witness took him to the girl's body, lying in a small open space in the lupins. The body looked as if it had moved or had been moved. He was of the opinion that the latter waß the case. Henry Henderson, police constable, of New Brighton, said that with another constable he arrived at the scene of the mi-rder at 2.15 p.m., meeting there the boy Mugford and the Rev. Mr Tobin. John Campbell Mayne, detective, of Christchurch, deposed to removing the body to the morgue, and delivering it to Dr. Pearson. On June 18th, he said, he handed nine sealed bottles, containing samples of the deceased's internals, to the Government Analyst. The girl's watch, which had stopped at 12.27, he handed to Mr Matsen, jeweller, for examination. Carl Matsen, watchmaker, employed by Petersen's, Ltd., said that on June 20th, he examined the watch produced. The u lass was broken. One of the hands was bent, and the lock and winder pin also bent. A piece of glass in thu cylinder was the cause of the watch's stoppage. It had been wound at 10 or 11 o'clock, and stopped about fourteen hours later. It could have gone for thirty hours or more. Apart from the damage the watch was in good order. Mr Thomas: We can take it that you can tell pretty exactly, and that we are very near the mark?— Yes. David Davidson, storeman, of Wellington, who was in Christchurch in Ji.ne last, said that he had gone to the scene of the murder, and while watching the broom being cleared away lie found the spanner, produced, in a small gorse bush. He handed it to Detective Eade. Edward Eade, detective, said that the blood on the spanner was partly dry. Upon examination, no finger-prints were found on the spanner. Norman W. Laugeson, detective, said that there were traces of oil on the spanner, indicating that it had been in recent use. He showed the spanner to 1510 persons in the Christchurch garages ano foundries. No one was able to idmtify it. He saw other spanners similar to that produced, but none exactly the same. On July 27th he searched the accused's home, and found, in a box, in the hall, twenty small and ten large military buttons. In one of the rooms he found, in a box, four small and three large military buttons. The Overcoa.ts. George Hunter McCann, staff serg fint-major, Defence Department, said he had handled a large quantity of military equipment as a quartermaster-ser-gtant. On July 28th he examined the two military overcoats produced. They were ordinary issue overcoats, one being older than the other. The older was dated on the pocket November 29th, 1916. The other had nothing on it by which its age could be . calculated. There was a date, but it was indisting'ishable. The buttons were the ordinary greatcoat buttons. Witness detailed the placing of the buttons. It was well known that a large number of these coats had been sold to private individuals, and were in common use. To Mr Thomas: The size was not distinguishable, but they could be distinguished by measuring. One had had a piece cut off the bottom ?—Yes. Witness, at counsel's request, compared the coats, in size, on the solicitors' table. Mr Thomas: They are exactly tho same coat, except one has been shortened?— There is very little difference. They are practically the same size. On an ordinary issue coat there are twelve buttons?— Yes. So there are sufficient buttons almost t do three coats? —Not three. Well, almost three?— Yes. It would appear that if any of the buttons on the coat were black, that wculd indicate that all the buttons were bUck?—No.. Mr Donnelly: That is not correct. My friend has not seen these military coats as often as I have. Mr Thomas then asked if there were three black buttons on the collar, and thf witness replied in the affirmative. Mr Donnelly: The important difference in the coats is in the length?— Yes. About four inches as they are now? — Yes. Alfred Edwin Smith, managing director of Smith's Motors, Ltd., said the spanner produced was similar to that supplied in the tool-kit of an F.N. car. He based this on the design, the fact that it was a metric spanner, and the jaws were slightly bevelled. It was not an American.or English spanner, and he had seen such a tool only in the tool-kit of an P." car. Lionel James Leversedge, labourer, of Spreydon, said that at 10.45 a.m. on June 25th he was engaged for the Unemployment Committee in clearing scrub from a section near the Buxton's road corner, and found tho overcoat' produced. He marked it on the collar with the date and his initials. It was neatly folded, with the inside out._ It had bloodstains on it. He gave it to Detective-Sergeant Young. To Mr Thomas: It was slightly damp. A-. soon as he found it he realised it was associated with the Burwood murTou bad been working there for about a week before?— Yes. Between the murder and that date there was tremendously wet weather? —Yes. A Motor Party. Winifred Capes, a single girl, of Sydenham, said that in the latter part of 1926 she knew Boakes and Miss Scarff. She had been one of the party of four in Arps's car, and she had gone for a walk with Boakes. About that time she had seen the latter at Mrs Scarff's house. Mr aud Mrs Scarff were at the pictures, and the children in bed. Boakes went into the sitting-room with the girl Scarff. To Mr Thomas: The trip to Dallington took place in December. Where did you go to?—Dallington. I don't want to go into details, but you went with Boakes and Miss Scarff with Arps?—Yes. Leslie George McEeth. taxi-driver, said his stand was at the Grand Theatre. He had seen the girl Scarff *here once looking for accused. He identified her from a photograph. On several occasions he had taken a telephone message for Boakes from a woman. It was usually for him to ring up Wood's, Cashmere. The message came a good number of times. To Mr Thomas- He had said two or three times in the Lower Court. Don't you realise that this man is on trial for his life? Give some explanation of your conduct. Why did you say two or three times in the Lower Court. Have vou no explanation?— NoMr Thomas: No. 1 think not. Herbert Perrin, taxi-driver, employed by the White Diamond Co., said he did not do a trip to Cashmere early on the morning of June Sth, and his runningsheet did not show one. To Mr Thomas: He remembered tho day of the murder. Boakes was at work, and went on to the Grand stand between 5.30 and 5.45 He left about 9.50 p.m. Witness was with him some hours.

Did you notice anything extraordinary about him?—No, nothing George Lowis. fruiterer, said that from August, 1925, to October, 1926, he was running two buses to Sumner. From December, 1925, until October, 1926, Boakes was driving one of them. He saw the girl Scarff in Boakes'b bus once when it was at the Oasis petrol station. Witness enquired her name, and was told it by Boakes. Two days after the murder he saw Boakes near Warner's

Hotel. He came across, and spoke to witness. They discussed what had beea said about him, and the interview at the police station. He told Boakes that he had been informed a spanner had been found. Boakes said, "I suppose they wanted to know if you had lost any)" He had not lost any, and they had been sold with the buses to the Tramway Board. He spoke to Boakes about seeing the girl in the bus. ; He said it *as right, and remembered the occasion. . Accused said he had seen her on the Saturday previ 'is to the interview, and that it had been said he was to get some dope for her, and that he did not know any chemist well j enough. He said it had been stated she j \va in trouble. Witness said Boakes said she had told him her trouble. He said she had never mentioned being in trouble. He told witness it had been stated a woman had said he had been waiting on the riverbank for Miss Scarff, but that it had not been him, and it was not his taxi. The spanner was not one of witness's, and he could not identify it. To Mr Thomas: He said he had driven the girl from the Oasis station to the Square on the occasion mentioned before. He had plenty of occasion of seeing the type of man Boakes was. Was he" hot or bad-tempered?— No. You have never seen him lose his temper?— No. He was a kindlv man? —Yes. Was he the sort of man who would help the women and children in and out of buses t—Yes, he was always obliging. Boakes *s Taxi. William James Morris Dickinson said he was the son of the proprietor of the White Diamond Co. Boakes remained in employment there until his arrest in July. Ho always drove No. 22 taxi, and his hours were 5.30 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. All the tools issued to drivers were a wheel brace and jack. All the cars 'were fitted with meters, and there was no room in the front seat for anyone in addition to the driver. Each driver had a running sheet, and each car went out full of petrol, which was checked at the end of the day. In the month | of June, in the daytime, Boakes was ! the only person to drive taxi No. 22. His sheet on June Bth showed a trip from Cashmere to the Square in the morning at 6.35 o'clock. Particularly in "Cashmere" it appeared an erasure had been made. His sheet for June 9th Bhowed a trip from Mount Magdala to Paparua, and return lasting from 1.30 p.m. to 3.15, and a trip out from the "graveyard" lasting for an hour. The 3.15 appeared to have been altered. The "graveyard" was a feeder to the other stands in the Square. The Mt. Magdala trip was about 20 miles and the one following about 12* miles. The sheet for June 14th showed the meter had broken down in the afternoon at 2.30 p.m., and the car was running on the speedometer. He had examined the time-sheets of all the drivers for June Bth, and the only one with a trip to Cashmere in the morning was Boakes's. No questions were asked by Mr Thomas. Ralph George Goldien, Charles William Smith, John McGilligan, and John Joseph Riordan, all drivers for the White Diamond Company, on June Bth, said they did no trip to Cashmere on the morning of June Bth, and their running sheets showed where they had . been that day. Riordan, in answer to Mr Thomas, said he had driven car No. 22 in the daytime, but ho could not remember when. You took No. 22 when Albion played Merivale at New Brighton?—l can't say. Mr Donnelly: Was it in June?—l can't remember. It wasn't at that period, but. later? —l'm really fogged about the date. Ronald Charles Gilbert, taxi-driver on the A.M.P. stand, said on one occasion he had. taken a message for Boakes to ring up Wood's, Cashmere. It waß a woman speaking. He gave the message. It was six or seven months before the end of August. Alfred John Dendle, taxi-driver, said that he had aeen Scarff talking to the accused, sometimes abou' once a week at the stand. He had not seen her talking to any other driver. Talks with. Boakes. Samuel Halligan, taxi-driver, said that on June 22nd he had a conversation with the accused. Boakes mentioned that the police were still worrying someof the taxi-drivers, and remarked that he had seen witness talking to two detectives. "It's not worrying me," accused said, "I've got my sheet to show where 1 was."

Ta Mr Thomas: It was the topic of the day. William Cunningham, taxi-driver, denied making a trip to Cashmere on the morning of June Bth. Mr Thomas: Do you remember Boakes pulling into the "graveyard" on June 9th, and saying: "That's not a bad job off the 'graveyard,'. 12s 3d?"— Yes, he pulled into the garage at about half-past four and said that. Did you see Boakes fairly frequently? —Yes, we worked on the same stand. He was a kindly man? —Yes. No trait of cruelty, nothing extraordinary about him?—No, I found him a very decent man.

No Trace of Runaway. • John Bruce Young, Detective-Serge-ant, Christchurch, described visiting the scene of the murder on June 15th, with Chief-Detective Lewis. They were met by Constable Henderson, the Kev. Tobin, and the boy ,Mugford. The body was lying on its back, and there were extensive wounds on the head and a quantity of congealed blood 'ying about. The scene was about 400 yards from the tram stop. Deceased was fully dressed except for her hat, which was on the ground near her head. She was lying partly across a blue rain-coat, which was saturated with blood. Nearby were an attache case, an umbrella and brown paper parcel; and a small paper bag containing some chocolate. There were three distinct pools of blood on the. ground forming the shape of a crescent. There was four feet between the first two and 3ft 6in between the second and third pools. There was no sign of a struggle. The only disarrangement of the girl's clothing was her skirt which was lifted above her knees. Pieces of bone and a lock of hair were lying between the pools of blood. In the attache case was a new nightdress which, apparently, had never been worn. The only article bearing any mark of identification was a handkerchief with the word "Gwen" on it. A person could stand up at the scene without being seen from the road. The whole section was scoured by the police, and no one was found on it Witness and the Chief Detective asked the boy Mugford to point out the spot where he saw a man run away into the broom. There was no trace of a man and had a man gone through the broom he must have left some trace. There were no footprints. Witness exanr'ned the whole section. On the following day at 2.30 the accused was interviewed at the police statiou. Accused's wife was also interviewed, and when her statement was read to him he said that she was mistaken. She was interviewed again, and accused added a statement that on one evening he had gone out to buy some tobacco. He had forgotten to mention this in his previous statement. He left home on his bicycle at 7 p.m., and went to a store on the corner of Cashel and Barbadoes streets. He did not hurry home, walking part of the way and arriving about 5.30. Boakes asked if it was desired that he should call back at the Detective Office.

He was told that if he wished to do so he could. He called the next day and added to his statement that he would like Bill Cunningham, a taxidriver, interviewed regarding his (Boakes') trip from the "graveyard" to _ Sumner and back. On the following day, June 17th, with Detective Thomson and Neate, the taxi-driver, witness went to the left-luggage office in the square and identified the deceased's property. In a handbag were found two snapshots of the accused. On June 22nd witness took the spanner produced to Dr. Pearson, who removed the blood for examination. ' A Blood-Stained Overcoat. On June 2oth witness went to a section near Buxton's corner, and was handed the blood-stained overcoat bv Leversedge, who showed him the spo't where it was found. The blood was on the right wrist, inside and out. Other blood-stains were on the left sleeve, the collar, and the front The garment was very wet across the shoulders, which had apparently been uppermost when the coat was lying in the scrub. The coat had been considerably shortened and the only mark of identification was the word "Defence." The spot where the coat was found was about a mile from the scene of the murder. From June 16th to June 25th witness saw the accused every day, except on the Sunday. At no time during that period was Boakes wearing a military overcoat. On June 27th witness saw* him on the taxi-stand. He was then wearing a military overcoat. He was also wearing it when arrested on July 27th. To Mr Thomas: The first statement took nearly seven hours to obtain. He had his meal in the police mess. Quite a lot of this time was taken up in seeing Mrs Boakes. It was difficult to give the lengths of sides of the section at Burwood. It ran right to the creek, and to the base, where it stopped, would be 100 or 200 yards. _ lou could almost put Napoleon's army in that area, and it would disappear?— I examined the whole of both frontages. In the shade there was frost?— Yes. Some water in a glass thero was frozen hard. A piece of blood-stained shirt was round near?— Yes. It belonged to some workman who had left it there?— Yes. You did not find any workman to .whom the overcoat belonged?— No. Austin Arthur Reed, taxi-driver, employed by the Whito Diamond Company, said he had made no trip to Cashmere on the morning of June Bth. Talk Round the Town. Alfred Moulin, taxi-driver, said Boakes had spoken to him about two or three weeks after the murder. They were on the stand together. Witness said, "You know what is being said about you round the town, Charlie?" meaning his relationship with the girl. Boakes said, "It wasn't me; it was another Charlie." Boakes had said an- ' other Charlie, living down Colombo street, had a motor-cycle and side-chair, and used to take the girl Scarff out. Accused # iad said he had nothing to do with the girl's condition. Witness had seen the girl on the stand looking for Boakes. She brought some flowers for him once, and witness had asked him for them. Boakes said he couldn't give them t6 him, as his lady friend had brought them down for him. In answer to a question by witness, Boakes said he used to know .her through her being a. passenger on the Sumner bus. She did not speak to the other drivers on the stand. To Mr Thomas: Everybody was talking about Boakes. He was not very pleased about the newspaper placards at the time. One had the heading "Who is Charlie?" The drivers knew Boakes had been interrogated by the police. He had seen the girl Scarff at least two or three times on the stand . speaking to Boakes. During the period it may have been two or three times?— Yes. William Joseph Pleasance, driver employed by the White Diamond Taxi Company, said he had done no trip to Cashr.ere on the morning of June Bth. Mr Thomas: Did you receive a call to go up there one morning to a man?— Yes; it was early in the morning about a week previously. He had to go up a second time, as he did not find the man at the appointed place. It was alongside Wood's house. He took him to Papanui station. If he had picked him ud the first time, he would have arrived in the Square before 7,a.m. Can you describe the man?—No; it's too far back now. Would the man be between thirty and forty, and about sft Bin in height? —I can't remember. What kind of overcoat? —An ordinary grey overcoat. Detective John Thomson said on June 16th he was present when Boakes made his first statement at the Detective Office. He typed part of it. Boakes said it was a true statement after reading it over. During the temporary absence of Detective-Sergeant Young, Boakes said, "Have they found the th s ng that killed her?" He replied, that he was not dealing with that part of the investigation. Deteetiye-Sergeant Young returned, and read over Mrs Boakes's statement regarding his movements on Monday and Tuesday of that week. Boakes made an addition to his statement, which was taken down, and 1 e said '' She is mistaken; I made a bus trip to Kaiapoi." Detective-Sergeant Young went out again, and. on returning read another statement by Mrs Boakes. Boakes said, "I was mistaken, and was out on the Monday uight," and made another addition to his statement. Witness was present when the suitcases were obtained from the tram shelter.

To Mr Thomas: Mrs Fuller had said a man had called on the Monday night for a tin of tobacco. Her description of him tallied with Boakes. Mrs Florrie Fuller, who keeps a store at the corner of Cashel and Barbadoes streets, said that on the evening of the 13th or 14th of June a man called at her shop for a tin of tobacco. He had fair liair, was of medium height, and had a pale complexion. He wore a navy blue or black overcoat, and black leggings. Charles Henry Keys said that in June he was employed by Brown's, coal merchants, of Christchurch. Ho had "own Scarff for seven years. He hadowned a Red Indian motor-cycle, and now had a Saxon car. Scarff had never been out with him. He had only possessed a military overcoat during the war. "No Levity in Court." Mr Thomas: You were never out with Scarff?—No. Never near the riverbank? —No. When were you discharged from the j Army?—l can't remember- ! Are you sure?— Yes, I haven't a head to remember everything in. Do yon remember when you were married?— Yes: and I suppose you would, too. This produced loud laughter, and his Honour intimated that if there was any further display of levity on the part of the public he would order the Court to be cleared. The Other "Charlie." Detective J. Bickerdike said that after Boakes had written half of his statement he stopped, and said: "There's been a hell of a lot of talk about me and the deceased. A man might have had sexual intercourse with he., but that's not to say I murdered her." He went on to say: "There is another 'Charlie,' and he knows her well. He does not. get on too well with his wi£e."

Witness said: "Who ii the other Charlie:" Boakes replied: "He works in a coalyard near the Hills." Witness said: "What's his name?" Boakes said: "I don't like dragging anvone into it, bnt his name is Charlie Ke*ys." Witness said: "Can you give me any information that Keys knows anything about this murder!'' 'lt is your duty to find out, and you know how to do it," answered the accused Witness showed him the military overcoat, stained with blood, and asked if it was his property. To this the accused said: "No, that is not mine." He did not rise from his chair, said witness, but merely glanced at it. On July 27th, said witness, he again interviewed the accused, and told him of the interview with King, the chemist's assistant. He said that King's statement was partly true, but he did not buy pills or ergot from him. He said he knew King, .but did not know that he was a chemist's assistant. King was taken to the Police Station at Boakes's request. Witness asked King to repeat his statement as to supplying Boakes with the pills and ergot. King did so, and Boakes assumed a threatening attitude. Witness interposed, thinking Boakes might strike King. He said to King, "You are a liar." Boakes admitted in Arps's statement only the part relating to the motor drive to Dallington with Gwen Scarff and another woman. Interview With King. On July 18th, at about 2 p.m., he called at Coltart's. He saw Mr Coltart, and asked him if he employed King. Ho saw the latter in the shop, told him who he was. and asked if it would be possible to have a private interview with him there. He said, "No." Witness asked if he would come to the station. O the way there King said he was a native of Timaru. Witness told bim he was making enquiries regarding the murder. He asked King if he knew_ a taxi-driver named Brown. He said, "Yes. I have known him for a number of years." When asked if he knew Boakes, he hesitated, and then said, "Yes; he waß introduced to me by Brown." Witness said, "I am informed you sold Boakes some drugs for abortion purposes." He said, . "Who told you?" He replied, "I'm sorry; I can't tell you." King said, "If I tell you the'truth, what is going to happen to me?" Witness said, "I'm not- the boss, and can't tell you." King said, "I'd better tell you the truth. I did sell some ergot to Boakes for a girl whom he had got into trouble." . When ■ askc' if ho would make a statement, i King said, "My hand is very cold. I wonde; if I could warm it." It was a 1 coli day, and the interview was held upstairs. He asked King to come down to the chief detective's office, where there was a fire. They stayed , there five or ten minutes. King warmc" his hands, and then went upstairs [ again. Detective Walsh was there this , time. King wrote "ut a statement himself. He could .not hold the pen too well, his hand was too cold. King arrived at the station about 2.45 p.m., an was there about a couple of hourß. At 5 p.m. he said he wanted to get ■ away before Mr.Coltart left the shop, as he wanted to get samples of the pills , aL 1 ergot. H went away and returned with them about 6 p.m. About 7 p.m. on the 20th witness was in the !' same office, when King eame along. He said he had omitted to mention in his previous statement that he had sold , another box of pills to Boakes, and ~ wanted to rewrite his statement. King i said he had mentioned only one box, , and brought alon b another box. King wanted to put everything in the proper J order, and he rewrote his statement. , Witness handed him his first statement. ' The writing of the. second .. took, him , about an hour. He then left' the office. Witness saw King on the day . Boakes was arrested. Walsh and him- . self saw King in Coltart's, and he said . he had told them everything. That was the last he saw'of him until the Lower I Court hearing. King came in at the . door, and spoke to witness casually. He ; had loft for Auckland on August 17th, i and since the hearing he had been at i Ai. kland. Witness did not serve King i with his summons to give evidence. Detectives Deny Bullying. 1 Mr Thomas: You have heard the statement given by King to Mr Gresson? pid you bully him into making it?— No. I have never seen the man , one could bully into making a false ' statement. Did you threaten to charge King with the offence? —No. King was very anxious to know my informant. Mr Thomas: You took Boakes'B second statement? -Yes. Will you tell me when Boakes went to the station and when he left?—He came at 7.35 and left at about 2 or halfpast. ' I'm going to suggest that 'it was four?— Not on the first occasion. How did Boakes get on for meals?— We gave him morning tea . Mr Thomas: Yes; I've no doubt you looked after nim very well. When he made his last statement what was the time when you got him? —Five or fivethirty. What time was he arrested?—At a quarter to eleven. What about breakfast?—He was always treated well. You say that he made his statements without any gentle persuasion; I won't say bullying?—l assisted him, and explained anything he asked. I don't suppose I spoke half a dozen words to him. He was very intent. Do you suggest that Boakes wrote the words in the bottom of the statement without prompting?—He said: "Bickerdike, you have treated me , fair," and I said, "If you think so, put it on that paper." Mr Thomas: Yes; I suppose so. Put it in the paper! That is all I want to .know about that. Now, as to King, he wrote two pages. How long did it take him? . Bickerdike: At about half-past three Mr Thomas: Now, don't do it that way. ' I'm asking you how long?— King started at 3.30 and finished at \ 4.30. "■ There is one thing of which you are certain, and about which you have no doubt, and that is that King is a liar. That is the position, isn't it?—l can only speak of my interview. I had no trouble in getting the statement. King's a liar, then?— Yes; he must be a liart Mr Thomas: Thank you. John Walsh, detective, of Wanganni, said that when King was making his .statement to Bickerdike, witness arrived before King commenced to write. It took him about an hour. There was a good deal of conversation, but there was no bullying. The statement was made deliberately and voluntarily. King left the station at 5 p.m., and came back at 6 p.m. with pills and ergot, stating that they were samples of the drugs he had sold to BoakesKing said that he had sold Boakes a second lot of pills which he had forgotten abont. Therefore he wanted to alter his statement, putting the sales in the proper order. Witness saw King again on the morning Boakes was arrested, and aTso after the arrest. Witness informed King of -the arrest, and in reply to a question King said that he had" no further information to give. Voluntarily or Under Duress? To Mr Thomas: Witness had arrived in Christchurch on Sunday morning.

He had discussed the matter with De-tective-Sergeant Bickerdike. You say that the man left without any arrangement about coming back? — He was to get the samples. I thought so. When he left he had to bring back the samples? —He didn't have to. He said he would. Yes, because you asked him. Who asked him to get the samples?— I can't remejibcr now. Either Bickerdike or myself. "Ho had to get away because you asked him." Mr Thomas read the part of Bickerdike's statement referring to the incident.—Witness: What statement is that? You answer me!— The statement is quite fair. How can you say it's fair, as it was you and Bickerdike wanted the samples? —That is the position. How long did King take on the last 1 statement?— About half an hour. It took an hour?— No. Well, Bickerdike said it did?—No answer. . You now know King is a liar?—les. "That is the case for the Crown," said Mr Donnelly at 3.20 p.m. "Are you calling evidence, Mr Thomas?" asked his Honour. Mr Thomas: No, sir. The Judge said he proposed to allow the jury an opportunity to escape from the poisonous atmosphere of the Court. "You will have to listen to very lengthy addresses from counsel," said his Honou "and it is important that you should be able to listen to them. Nothing will be said that is unnecessary. The atmosphere of the Court is not conducive to health, and I propose to adjourn the Court until to-morrow. In the meantime you will be given an opportunity to get some clear air. The case will be adjourned until 10.15 a.m. to-morrow. There will be no difficulty in getting through then?" Mr Donnelly: I shall be very brief, your Honour. The Court was then adjourned.