PIHA FIRE CASE

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 143, 13 March 1939, Page 10

PIHA FIRE CASE

Accused Remanded On Bail POLICE THEORY Remains Found Alleged To Be Taken From Grave By Telegraph—Press Association. AUCKLAND, March 11. Described on the charge sheet as a labourer, aged 38, James Arthur Talbot, well-built and of medium height, was charged at the Magistrates’ Court today before Mr. C. R. Orr-Walker, S.M., “that on about February 10 lie did improperly interfere with human remains.” Representing him, Mr. John 'leu.' did not at this stage enter any plea but asked for bail. A large crowd waited outside the public entrance and later crowded the space reserved in Court. After outlining the facts leading to the arrest of Talbot, Detective-Ser-geant Walsh said it was now alleged by the police that the remains found in the debris at Piha were those of Patrick Henry Shine, taken from a grave unlawfully opened at Waikumete Cemetery.

Mr. Walsh asked that in the event of bail being granted the amount fixed should be substantial and in two sureties, with the proviso that accused report twice daily to the police. He requested a remand till March 17. Air. Terry said that accused, charged under the Crimes Act and bailable as of right, had shown no desire to leave New Zealand during the police inquiries. In fact, he had assisted the police. , .... The magistrate granted a remand till March 17 and adjourned the. Court while the question of bail was discussed in chambers. Twenty minutes later Mr. Orr-Walker announced in Court that he had fixed bail in accused’s own surety of bond of £4OO and two other sureties each of £2OO.

Mr. P. H. Shine’s Career.

Mr. C. B. Shine, Auckland, brother of the late Mr. Patrick Shine, in an interview, said that though iiis brother Patrick served with the Australian Expeditionary Forces during the Great War he was not an Australian. He was born in Auckland and about 25 years ago went to Australia, where ho enlisted and served with the 34th Battalion of the Australian Forces. He was badly gassed and blown up in' a big battle at Villers-Bretonneux and ever; afterward suffered greatly from slfeil-shock, said Mr. Shine. About 10 years ago he came back to Auckland, where he lived till his death last month. He was in business in Ponsonby, where he had a shop for some years, during which time he engaged in furniture dealing, but after he gave up this business because of ill-health two years ago, he was almost an invalid'. He was 54 years of age and entered Auckland Hospital only three ■weeks before his death.