TIMARU MURDER

Hokitika Guardian, 20 November 1920, Page 2

TIMARU MURDER

COMMITTED FOR TRIAL. [PER PHEBB ASSOCIATION. —COPYRIGHT.J TIMARU, Nov. 19. Evidence in the murder case this afternoon was given concerning accused’s belongings and his visits to Phillipson’s house at Sydenham. He told them that he was going to Timaru, and on his return on October 28th told them that he had been there, The murder waß mentioned to him and he said he did not take any interest in that sort of thing, but had heard or read something about it, adding: 1 ‘They would have to prove ii on a man before they could convict him.” He had visited Phillipson’s several times and Mrs Phillipson had altered some of his clothing, so that she oasilyAdentified them. These were found in accused’s suit-case, as also a copy of the Timaru Herald of October 2Pth, containing an account of the murder, and a box of rubber" type, from which the stamp previously mentioned had been made up. To the Phillipson’s mother and daughter, accused had aL ways seemed normal and cheerful, and romped with the children. After his return from Timaru one of the girls said lie was known as Reginald Irving. A Timaru postal official said he recognised a parcel-post counterfoil in the name of “Reg Irving,” which was sent to Mrs Davey, Dunedin. Witness lived next door to Wagstaff and was aroused by the shots. He went over and saw Constable Palmer pick up a parcel form, with a Wellington post-mark on it. r Mrs Davey, Dunedin, said she had known accused for 6 or 7 years as “ Tabby Matthews,” but knew that his initial was “R.” On October 25th she received from him, from a box of chocolates for the children. About two years ago he asked her to write to him as “R. Irving.” / L. A. Lodge, of the National Bank, and F. H. Lindop, of the Bank of N.Z., as experts, gave evidence on the likeness of the writing on the counterfoil and accused’s letter to Rose Phillipson' E. A. G. Holdgate, gunsmith, testified that the bullet extracted from deceased was exactly similar to another fired from accused’s pistol into soap, so as it could be recovered. The rifling had peculiarities and was easy identified. He did not know the make of the pistol. _ The words on it were ‘ ‘ made in Spain,” but not the maker’s mark.

The evidence concluded at 6 p.m. Asked If he had anything to say. accused replied: “ Not at present, thank you. My counsel will do my work for me.” Mr Thomas asked that the trial be held in some other centre than. Timaru. The tragedy had moved the people of Timaru tremendously, and it was doubtful if the accused would receive a fair trial here. He suggested Christchurch, and Mr Donnelly had not any objection. His Worship concurred with this, and accordingly committed the accused for trial at Christchurch on February 6th, 1921.