TIMARU MURDER

Hokitika Guardian, 3 November 1920, Page 2

TIMARU MURDER

I Jl WELLINGTON INCIDENT. , I (Per Prosß Association.) j WELLINGTON, November 2. The 'Wellington police have been , seeking for Matthews for some time, for apart from his being wanted on a charge of escaping from custody, the man was suspected of having committed an indecent assault upon a young girl nine years of age, in the vicinity of the Terrace, and also of having obscenely exposed himself in the same locality, both offences having been committed about the middle of September. Following tl>e second offence, Constable Brown, acting upon a description furnished by a resident of Kelburn, proceeded up Glencoe Terrace and there met a. man who tallied with the description. The suspect turned tail and the Constable gave chase. When near Talavera Tefrrace, the man turned and produced a revolver, threatening to shoot if the Constable came on. Constable Brown continued up the mound on which the man was standing, but for some reason the revolver either mis- ' fired or the trigger was not pulled, I for the man again turned and ran, and ' succeeded in eluding the Constable. The "Wellington police have reason to believe that Matthews has spent a considerable amount of his time since his escape from custody on steamers engaged in coastal or inter-colonial trade. I CALMLY DENIES "GUILT. CHItfSTCKUR/OH, Nov. 1. j Matthews who is charged with the TimariT murder, was quite calm when lie appeared in Court this morning. Ho was not represented by Counsel. When asked, if he had anything to say, he replied: “Just to say that I am not guilty.” The Magistrate said the question of providing Counsel for defence was a. matter for further consideration. . J Constable Templeton is progressing satisfactorily. An operation was performed to open up to the flesh wound , above his knee for irrigation purposes and the wound is expected to heal rapidly. Matthews was bosun on the Wnipori and bore a good record. Ho made a voyage to Melbourne in her. CHAIN OF CIRCUMSTANCES. CHRISTCHURCH, Nov. 5. Mrs James Phillipson, of Harper St., Sydenham, stated Matthews paid frequent visits to her house recently, having some time ago boarded with her. iSiflce he was paid off the Waipori a month ago, she saw' a good deal of him. He went about the city quite openly She says Matthews left for Timaru on ; Wednesday, October 20th., and returnjed eight days afterwards. He did not show any sign of woriry, and romped 1 w’itli the children as usual, but he proI fessed an anxiety to leave Christchurch.