THE CONWAY CASE.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 26 April 1901, Page 4

THE CONWAY CASE.

(PER TRESS ASSOCIATII-N. — COPYRIGHT.)

Sydney, April 2~>

Eliza Hoaley, cross-examined, said that she wens voluntarily to tho detective and told him about accused's remark about the effect of the police discovering the jewellery amongst her off crs. Mrs M'William?, fore-cabin stewardess of the Talunc, deposed to accused asking her on the morning following tho death whether she (witness) had heard tho Captain say anything about tha occurrence. She told the accused that the Captain 3a ; .d nothing in her presence. Carolina Syderberg, mother of the licensee of the Royal George Hotel, said that accused gave her seme jewellery to put in tho safe. There were two or three silver watches, one gold watch and chain, one chain, a gold pin, six or seven rings, and a gold nugget. Smith said she received these things from a lodger in tho hotel named M'Lean for safe keeping. She wished witness not to tell M'Lean about it. M'Lean was not identical with die detective of that nam-', cngagod in the ch,=;c. Witness placed tho articles s n the safe. Accused after the wait of thu police said, "I am glad that the police did not find the jewellery amongst my things, I might have had some trouble about it, The police mif.'ht not have believed it was M'Lsan's jewellery. 1 ' M'Lean left the hotel a week later. Witncss'n son handed hiin the jewellery before ho left. Accused and M'Lean came to the hotel about tho same time.

Tho Court would not admit tho evidence of the clerks of the various I3ar,ks to show whether drafts had been rccoived in favor of Jane Smith. Mr Reid objected and the Court up-held him. The case for the Crown has now closedAccused, in response to an enquiry by tho judge, made a statement. She com*raoncod in ft firm voice: "Gentlemen of the jury, 1 stand hero truthfully and say T did (?not) buy poison for my friend in the country. It is alio true that I did not take any poison aboard the steamship Talune." At this point, for the first time since tho accused appeared in public, her gnat nerve give way, and she wept bitterly.

Recovering slightly, but in a broken voice, sho added, "I did no: give Mr Conway anything to cause his death," and resumed her seat weeping. George Phillips, employed in the Savings Bank, was called by the defence. He said that ho knew Smith in Sydney some years ago, when .'-lie was a barmaid. She, by pure chance, found his address and came tosec him and requested the loan of live sovereigns on the Ist March. He lent it and took an acknowledgement for the money, which she promised to pay back in instalments. She wanted it to pay her hotel bill lo enable her to get private quarters till she obtained a situation. The reason she gave for leaving New Zealand was that she had a few words with her husband and intended to remain in Sydney four or live months. He knew her previously by the name of Hampden. He had seen a medal which lieid put in. On it were inscrihed the words "Presented to Airs Percy Smith for bravery, 1891." T. A. Stuart, Teresa Sands, and Kate Laytan, relatives of accused, deposed to accused coming to them after her arrival and asking the loan of £2 to enable her to pay the balance of the steamer fare and recover a watch she had giAcn as

security. Both witnesses being in humble circumstances were not able to lend money. Accused gave Kate Laytan several articles of jewellery which, she was going to pawn. By this means she raised £2"los.

The case for the defence has closed, and counsel will address the Court tomorrow.