The Timaru Poisoning Case

Feilding Star, Volume VIII, Issue 55, 19 October 1886, Page 2

The Timaru Poisoning Case

[PKB UNITE© FBBSS ASSOCIATION.] CHBisTcarßbH, October 16, The hope that the Timaru poison, ing case would Jbe finished in a week, and thus Bave the jury the inconveni* enee of being locked up all Sunday* has not been realised. When the court adjourned this evening there still renamed four witnesses for th» prosecution to be examined. The evidence taken, to-day, -nen^.to show that Hall had not been suffering trovf^ the effects of morphia while he was in gaol, though he had been very much depressed. ,Dr Stackpole's denial of haring told Miss Houston that she was to gire Mrs Hall medicines, as the old nurse said Miss Houston told her bis denial was qualified by a statement ; he might have said something* Miss Houston might take as directions to. her to give certain, powders. It was proved that Hall was playing billiards on the Thursday before hisarrest, and also that he flung into the? fire at his club a phial, which he waa careful to completely destroy. The fact of Hall ringing up his house bytelephone and telling Miss Houston toput away a decanter, was proved by Mr E. Gk Kerr, who added that Hall explained to him that he had led. some Wine to catch, a serva, /ho drank. The servant denied that she ever took liquor : in Hall's^ house, except what* was given hery/and the Grown Had other witnesses to prove her sobriety, but the evidence was ruled inadmissable by the Judge. The sale of the tin of kerosene, whjch was wrapped in brown paper and sent to Hall's office contrary to the usual custom, was proved, and also the fact that Hall had insured his premisesand furniture in the Imperial Com* pany, of which he Was agent at Tim* aru, for £1175. The domestics and others who had access to the garret in which the kerosene rags and timber were found, swore that they knew about them. The familiarity which existed between the prisoners wasdeposed to by the domestic servants, one of whom mentioned a new' bit of information — that oysters ' were obtained alK>ut the night of the Volunteer ball— the time when it waspreviously stated Miss Houston had given some to Mrs Hall, which made her vomit, and another new fact wasthat Miss Houston had asked Hall to lace, her stays before, he took her to the ball. The question of a flaw in. the indictment by the word antimonybeing used, while Professors Ogstoii and Black do not consider the metal. Antimony a poison, was referred to, but not argued. Mr Joynt spoke about taking a whole day to addressthe jury. It is not certainly; known, but it is considered unlikely ihat th» defence will call evidence. October 18. Photographers were called this morning, who stated that T antimonywas not used in photography. Medi«aL evidence was taken to show that poisoning by tartar emetic would b» known as poisoning by antimony. The case for the Grown has closed. Mr Joynt submitted that the indictment disclosed the administration of a deadly poison called antimony,, while the experts evidence, especially Black's, was thai. the metal antimony was not poisonous.' In poisoningcases, particular poison should be scientifically described., His Honor held that the common, language was sufficient. ' Mr Joynt said that the common meaning of antimony was a metal, wkioh experts said was non-poisonous. In the indictment, a substance not a> poison is called poison. , . The case is drawing'to a close.. A veryshort time this morning served to dispose of the remaining witnesses for the praeecution.—Mr Joynt called no evidence.— Mr Hay called evidence as to Miss Houston's character.-^Dr Xeyworth; deposed that he had known Miss Houston ail her life, and was present at her birth in Birmingham. Her father is the representative of one of thelargeet Burton breweries. She came out by witness' advice to Wellington, whore she was a hospital nurse, and then went to Timaru. Her conduct was irreproachable in every respect and kindly.— Rev. Mr H. West, Congregational Minister, Elizabeth Henaanton, matron of Wellington Hospital,., and (x. S. Mathisoa, Union Bank accountant at Timaru, also gave evidence as to Miss • Houston's good character. -The Attor-ney-General gave up his right of reply, ana summed up for the Crown. .On the evidence that had been laid before the jury he asked them to return a fair verdict, and if there was reasonable explanation of the accused's conduct consistent with their innocence to aquit them, but not to fail in their 'duty to convict them if satisfied of their guilt. — Mr Joynt addressed the jury on behalf of Hall. Ho blamed the Crown for not calling Mra Hull, and reviewed the evidence, pointing out every point in his client's favor. The learned counsel had not concluded his address when' the court adjourned. Tin. Day. On the resumption of the trial this morning the learned counsel for Hall was again on bis feet addressing th^> jury. He asked the Judge to direct the jury that unless poison was taken into the stomacn there had been no administration.—His Honor declined to/do so.— Mr Joynt commented on the Gr»wn leading evidence U show immorality between the accused, after the AttorneyGeneral had expressly repudiated this in his opening address. The learned counsel spoke of the animus of the two servant girls against Miss Houston. Mr Joynt finished hia address by referring to the the doubtful and mysterious aspect of the case, which he said the Crown - had not * removed as they might have done-" by calling Mrs Hall, and. he asked the jury to acquit the prisoner.— M* 9*7 followed at 11.20 aim. , < Later. M r Hay submitted that Mis* Houston bad been alleged RaUty at firnt on the ground that her motive was affection for Hall. That motive bao^ gone and the frown now relied »n Hall's 'financial difficulties as hi* motive, yet these difficulties were not knowa when arrested. Miss Houston has been cruelly raaHgned, and he had no douht the jury-wtmld . acquir iier. He warned mor« 7 than this. . he wanted her character "cleared. Tne learned counsel analysed |the eYiueaoe at length;