WIDOW IN BOX

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20078, 26 October 1939, Page 7

WIDOW IN BOX

WIFE-MURDER CHARGE TRIAL OF PATIENCE HOTEL VISITS DESCRIBED GIFTS BY THE ACCUSED (Per Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, this day. Further evidence for the Crown was presented in the Supreme Court today at the trial of Arthur John Patience, aged 48, a labourer, charged with murdering his wife, Harriett Jane Patience, at Claverley on October 4, 1938. Mr. Justice Northcroft was on the Bench. Thomas Joseph McGuinness, another worker who was at Claverley,. said that he knew Patience and another man had taken two of the women from the camp to Parnassus. Ho knew that Patience was associated with other women at the camp before Mrs. Patience arrived there.

Mrs. Alwyn Mclntosh, Riceartcn. said that the Patiences visited her , in April and May, 1938. She heard Mrs. Patience “chipping” her husband about not taking her out in the car. Arthur Henry Hodson. hotel porter, Blenheim, said that Patience and a woman had booked in at Barry s Hotel oil October 22 as man and wife. They registered as Mr. and Mrs. Patterson. Daisy Mann, employed in the Federal Hotel, Christchurch, said that twice a man and a woman had booked in as Mr. and Mrs. Patterson. Separation Suggested

Mrs. Clarice Rita Chapman, widow. Christchurch, said that her husband was killed in an accident'in July, 1938. She was first intimate with Patience in 1937. She had got on well with her husband. More than once she had discussed her relations with Patience, suggesting a separation from his wife. On October 7 Patience told her that his wife was gone, and they discussed it, but she could not suggest any course of action. Patience stayed at Mrs. Chapman's mother’s place. The accused went to see a lawyer on October 21, but did not see him. Next day Patience drove witness in her car to Blenheim, where they booked in at Barry’s Hotel ns Mr. and Mrs. Patterson. Patience was called to the police station and witness herself later made a statement. Later they booked in at the Criterion Hotel under their own names in separate rooms. Next day they went to Tophouse. On November 5 she was visited by Patience when staying at Nelson. They had booked in twice at the Federal Hotel as man and wife in October. She received clothing and teaspoons from Patience which she handed to the police. She had promised to go away with Patience but had decided not to as she had a child to consider. If Patience had been divorced, she would probably have married him. Replying to Mr. Gresson, Mrs. Chapman said that Patience had suggested going to the police, but she had suggested seeing a lawyer. The hearing is proceeding.