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Hokitika Guardian, 13 August 1931, Page 3

ACCUSED’S REMARKS

WELLINGTON, August 12. Continuing his. evidence in the murder case hearing, . J)e Maine said that he saw the, accused on various occasions following the day when it was sa’d that the girl, had gone home. Retween that date and July. 6'h, wheri he was arrested, the accused had not mentioned Phyllis’s, name. AVljen Coats moved from 140 -Adelaide Road, on Monday, June! 29. he gave, witness the key to get a * cushion and to give the key to the landlady. -

Mr Macassey: A day or two prior to the arrest, did the accused mention anything to you?

Witness; Yes. He said something about trying to get to Auckland. Counsel : Now, I want to come back. When he told you about hitting her over the-head with a p’fce of wood at? sUafaitai ; did he tell you what she said wh?n she came top Witness : I can't recall. “‘Did ho tell you why he bad gone over to Hataitai with Phyllis'?” '" Witness; “'He said something about ■ er.” , v . . . / Mr Macassev here asked p-vm-ssion to refer the witness to a statement ho had ' made" to the police. He said the witness was hostile. EVIDENCE YOT TO BE PUBLISHED. On Mr Treadwell's submission, the Magistrate, directed that the' evidence which now followed, where portions of his statement ' were referred to tlie witness,--should not be published. The evidence given in this way lasted'for about 20 minutes.

Mr Treadwell said that' lie Tihdei'stoovl, from the evidence . that' a t the time the girl was allegejtL to have received the tap, on the back of the head she was living under the same , rot a.* Coats, and that she continued so to live as though they were a happily married couple. Witness agreed. ‘‘About these statements you made to the police, how many were there?” asked Mr Treadwell. Witness: ‘‘Three.”

Counsel: ‘‘When you made the first one, how long were you at the Police Station?” -

Witness: ‘‘From about 8.15 p.iVi. to 11.15 p.m.” G'-uiiscl: ‘‘Dow many were there?”. Witness: “There Was Detective B-uv-is.”

Counsel: ‘‘Yes, hut just tell me how many-there were.V Witii'ess: “Well, a tall gentleman kept coming-in. v “And on the second occasion, how long were you at the Station?” Witness: “From 7.30 to 2.30.”

Counsel: .“Now, I’m not suggesting anything improper about the police; but you were a witness this mo’-ning. “What did. the police . say to you at lunchtime, directly after adjournment?” Witness: “They told me to tell the truth.” Counsel : “Did they warn,you ?” - Witness: “They just advised me, to. tell the truth, or it Ayoujd. go bad for me.” ! . ’ Counsel.:. “With regard, to these allegations of killjng iri- the,.statement, how- did you look upon, what Coats was telling you?” .“ - , Witness :,, “j thought-, die was just jokingwith,,nie. . wjio VISITER THEM. -•i.iif-, ml’ l .- -i- i : “ wm'; .John David Glover, a machinist, answering Mr Macassey, said that lie had know Coats for about a year. His wife had died on Anzac Day, 1930. He told witness that he had six children in an orphanage. •- He had first mentioned Phyllis when they were working outside her place before Christmas. He told witness, some time later, that the girl was living, with him. Questioned further, the witness admitted that Coats had spoken of the girl’s condition, and, stated that lie gave her some pills. Later, Coats had: moved to Kent Terrace, where lie lived, with Phyllis. Witness had visited them there lour times a week a‘:- this address'. He remembered Phyllis .being i 1! there with gastric ’flu, or something like that. ■ ' - ' ■' - WHAT COATS SAID. Mr Macassey-: “Did accused say anything in reference to Phyllis's condition when ■ they were in Adelaide Road?”

Witness: “He said that he’d- use a needie'on her, and that-if she did die, die knew a good place to bury her.” Counsel:'"' w WhaiT did diej'feVrC hboutthe relief works at Hataitai?” Witness: “He said that hundreds of tons went over there every day. I! you did-put. anyone there nobody would ever find them!” “When he talked to you like that, what did you say to him?” Witness: “I told him the police might find out.” , Counsel: “Did lie evei;. say anything about low tide?” ■ 1 Witness: “He, said “that if you .buried a dog. on the beach,, in six weeks tliere’d he nothing.-’-•Witness went on to give evidence about the period when the accused’s sister, Evie, came down from Auckland. She had told the accused not to break the syringe lie was taking flown -from a cupboard,•> Coats having said that he had got the syringe “to fix up Phyllis.” Witness gathered that Coats had got it'from Lis sister. Coats also had an envelope marked “Strictly Private,” which he .told Phvllis to put in a- drawer, and not to lose. Counsel: “One night, do you remember seeing the accused with his head buried in*'-his hands?” Witness : “Yes.” “How'did lie appear?” Witness: “Worried.” “Did he get up and say something to Phyllis?” Witness: “Yes. He “Get the needle Phil! I’m going to do it to you now!” After further evidence had been given, witness said that Coats had asked him, on a latter occasion, when there, if Phyllis died, would he help to bury her. His reply had been: “What the h do you think J am?” The Court,/then adjourned.