THE TALUNE MURDER.

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 91, 26 April 1901, Page 2

THE TALUNE MURDER.

By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright Sydnoy, April 25. Elizabeth Iloaly, housemaid at the Eoyal George Hotel, deposed that accused informed her she received a cheque from her husband for £.50, but could ilot cash it owing to an error in signature. She said she had given the wife of the licensee some jewellery belonging to a man named McLean, which she wished locked away for safety. After the police visited her, accused said to witness: “ Thank God, the police did not find that jewellery on me.” Elizabeth Healy, cross-examined, said she wont voluntarily to the detective, told him about accused’s giving jewellery to Syderburg and accused’s remark aboutthe effect of the police discovering jewellery amongst her effects. Sirs McWilliams, forecabin stewardess of the Taluno, deposed to accused asking her on the morning following the death whether she (witness) had heard the captain say anything about the occurrence. She told the accused the captain had said, nothing in her presence. Caroline Syderburg, mother of the licensee of the Eoyal George Hotel, said that accused gave her some jewellery to put in the safe. There were two or three silver watchos, ouo gold watch and chain, one chain, a gold pin, six or seven rings, and a gold nugget. Mrs Smith said she received these things from a lodger at the hotel named McLean for safe keeping. She wished witness not to toll McLean about it.' McLean was not identical with the detective of that name engaged in the case. Witness placed the articles in the safe. Accused, after the visit of the police, said, “ I am glad the police did not find the jewellery' amongst my things, or I might have had some trouble about it. The police might not Have behoved it was McLean’s jewellery.” McLean left the hotel a week later. Witness’ son handed him the jewellery before he left. Accused and McLean came to tho hotel about the same time. The Court would not admit the evidence if the clerks of tho various banks to show .vhether drafts had been recoived in favor )f Jane Smith. Mr Beid objected, and the lourt upheld his contention. The Crown case has closed. The accused, in response to an enquiry >y the Judge, made a statement. She commenced in a firm voice:— ‘Gentlemen of the jury,—l stand here ruthfully, and say I did buy poison for i ny friends in the country; also, and as ruly, that I did not take any poison 1 board the steamship Taluo.” At this point, for the first time since he accused had appeared in public, her reat nerve- gave way. She wept bitterly, c Eecovering slightly', but in a broken scent, she added : “ I did not give Mr - onway anything to cause his death.” 11 She resumed her scat, weeping. ,l George Phillips, employed in tho £ a vines Bank, was called by the defence, j le said he knew Mrs Smith in Sydney t j ime years ago. She was a barmaid. he, by pure chance, found his address, T id came to see him to request the loan five sovereigns on the Ist March. He j nt it, and took an acknowledgment Ql r the money, which she promised to ly back in instalments. She wanted it b( pay her hotel bill,- to enable >r t-o get private quarters till she , itained a situation. The reason she gave r leaving New Zealand was that she had id a few words "with her husband, and tended to remain in Sydney for five onths. He knew her previously by the .me of Hampden. Ho had-seen the 0 edal which Mr Beid put in. On it :re the words, “ Presented to Mrs Percy R nith for bravery, 1891 —F. A. Smart, - iresa Lauds, and Kate Layton.” Belatives of the accused deposed to eused coming to them after her arrival. Ai ie asked for a loan of two pounds to ll’ able her to pay the balance of her fre tamer fare, and to recover a watch ini tich she had given as security'. Both fcnesscs being in humble circumstances sai re not able to lend the money. Ac- he ;ed gave Kate Layton several articles of bei /ellcry, which she was wearing, to ste ivn. By this mean she raised £2 10s. let rhe ease for the defence has closed, unsel address the Court-to-morrow.