TIMARU MURDER

Hokitika Guardian, 18 November 1920, Page 3

TIMARU MURDER

MATTHEWS CHARGED. [PER PRESS ASSOCIATION. —COPYRIGHT.] TIMARU, Nov. 17. Reginald Matthews, charged with the murder of Clarence Edward Wagstaif, on Oct. 22nd apeared at the Magistrate’s Court this morning before Air Mosley S.M. Mr A. T Donnelly, Acting Crown Prosecutor of Christchurch, conducted the case for the prosecution, and Mr E. S. Thomas of Christchurch. Counsel for accused. Between thirty and forty witneses are to be examined and the proceedings are expected to last two days. Accused entered 'the dock without displaying any emotion and wearing several days growth of whisker. He appeared to take interest in the proceedings. Mr Donnelly outlined the case at length, indicating the nature of the wdence he proposed to call and it was no., till noon that the first witness was examined. T Stanley B .Clifford, licensed surveyor, produced a plan of the scene of the murder. J. E. Pigott produced a photograph of tho scene, but Counsel for accused objected, since the photograph was a reconstruction of the crime, showing a man crouching beside a wall. It was agreed to have another photograph taken. Two young ladies gave evidence of be- ' ing accosted by accused near the scene of the murder on Oct. 23rd and 27th re- | speetively and identified the man as ac- ■ cused. I Bessie Parr identified the accused as the man she saw in an unoccupied house near the scene of the murder on Oct. 27th. ____________