MURDER TRIAL

Hokitika Guardian, 4 November 1931, Page 5

MURDER TRIAL

further evidence heard. (By Telegrapt) —Per Press Association ) (WELLINGTON, November 3. At the trial of Coats, after lunch, John Davjd Glover, a mechanic, said that Coats and Phyllis Symons were living together in Kent Terrace in April 1931. ,The gill was in a certain condition, and Coat ß said that he would have to use an instrument, and that if she died,., he could easily put her over in Hataitai. When the girl was net present, Coats sometimes mentioned a. gully at Hataitai say - ing that hundreds of tons went over there every day, and if anyone were buried there, they would never be found. One night -when witness was playing cards with Coats’s sister, Evie De Maine, and Coats, Evie said to Coats: “You will have to do something about Phyl!” Coats replied that lie would have to see about it. Once Erie ,said ,to fitness: “If Phyllis died, would you help to. bury her?” Witness replied: “No! What do you think I am.”

Lengthy evidence was given by John D. Glover, machinist, an acquaintance! of Coats. He described various happenings at Coats’s room and the finding of a letter after Phyllis Symops had gone away. He did udt 'think. the letter of any importance, and it was a* week later that he showed it to - Melville, who gave, it to tile girl’s father. Robt, Droekib, who was employed on the relief works at Hataitai; eaid that lie saw Coats digging a hole in a part of the tip. away from where lie was working. * The case was adjourned until 10 a.m. to-morrow. . . . RELIEF WORKERS’ EVIDENCE. WELLINGTON, November 4. Evidence this morning \v]as given . by relief workers who were engaged at Hataitai with Coats. Sydney Penketh said that he had seen Coats digging a hole in tlie Up. at Mt. Victoria. ■ ■■■ . John Dunsmuir said that Coats on the afternoon of June 25th asked, him to .leave out a shovel rs he w n'ed to /?*! bury a .dog . . V, . ■,, 4- - ,