SENT FOR TRIAL

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20037, 8 September 1939, Page 7

SENT FOR TRIAL

WIFE-MURDER CHARGE PATIENCE’S STATEMENTS EVIDENCE OF POLICE STOIiY OF INQUIRIES (Per Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, this day. With the case nearing its close, nearly two-thirds of the police witnesses having given their evidence, the hearing of the murder charge against Arthur John Patience, _ a labourer, aged 48 vears, entered its third day in the Magistrate’s Court to-day. Mrs. Alwyth Gwendoline McIntosh. Riccarton, said that in April 1938, Patience spent the week-end at her place while his wife stayed with Mrs. George. Soon after he arrived on Friday, Patience said he would sell the car because Mrs. Patience was chipping him for not taking her in the car where- lie went. He had known Patigncc since 1030, said Thomas Joseph McGuinness, a labourer, Conway. Before Mrs. Patience arrived at Claverley, Patience was in the habit ot taking various women out for joy-rides in the car. When Mrs. Patience arrived, it did not stop completely. Patience was a man of fairly even temper. Association With Woman Senior Sergeant James Bickerdike said that he made investigations on October 20,11938 at Claverley. He inspected the house occupied by Patience and his wife. There were three rooms and no furniture. There was nothing found,of a suspicious nature. On October 27 he went to Blenheim and interviewed Patience. He lirst met him on the street and told him he had received a complaint that his wife was missing. He found the accused and Mrs. Chapman had booked in under the name of Mr. and Mrs. Patterson.' Witness asked Patience if his wife was with him. Patience replied: “Nb, I am staying with Mrs. Chapman.” Witness asked if it was not rather early for the accused to be staying with anothei woman so soon after the disappearance of his wife. Patience agreed that it was.

Patience volunteered and accompanied the detective to the police station where he made a statement, which witness produced. In the statement, Patience spid his wife disappeared on v thp night of October 4. On that day he started work as usual and at that time he and his wife were on the best of terms. He returned at 4.20 p.m. and his wife was at home with dinner ready. Next mdrning he found his wife had gone and her bed had not been slept in. He made no further inquiries and mentioned it to no other men. He thought she would turn up later. Note From Wife On October 5, he found a note from his wife which read: “I am sick of camp. I am sick of you. I don t want anything from you. Jane Patience.” Patience said he destroyed _ the note with other papers. He admitted he had not reported the matter to the, police as he expected her to return. . On October 20, he visited a Christchurch solicitor and told him to see if he could find his wife, A few days later he left foy Blenheim with Mrs. Chapman where they stayed at Barry’s Plotel. In a further statement made by Patience on April 21, 1939, he said that he was married about 20 years ago. He was later separated. About two and a-half years ago he went on to public works. His wife accompanied him to Claverley Camp. On two occasions he stayed with Mrs. Chapman at the Federal Hotel, Christchurch, as man and wife. When his wife was not at the hut, he thought she had- got sick of the camp and had cleared out. He made no effort to find her. but realised that he should have informed the police. He .said he should have organised a search for her. Identity Denied Senior-Sergeant Bickerdike said ■that on July 21, he was sent to Rosy Morn Camp and there saw Patience. Witness said the body of a woman had been found on the beach. Patience went to Kaikoura to see the body and said it was not his wife’s body. On July 24, he called on Patience and told him that the inquest was to be held at Christchurch. The relatives had identified the body as that of his wife. The accused said he was working and was not going to bother to attend the inquest. On August 3, together with Detec-tive-Sergeant Herron, witness arrested Patience. After hearing the warrant read, Patience replied: “I didn't.” The police records showed that no woman had been missed from the Kaikoura district who had not been traced for the last 30 years. After the submission of corroborative evidence the accused was committed for trial to the Supreme Court at Christchurch on October 17.