MURDER CHARGE

Manawatu Herald, Volume LI, Issue 4490, 12 August 1930, Page 2

MURDER CHARGE

MANLY ON TRIAL. Wanganui, August 14. Intense public- interest was shown at the Supreme Court this morning' when, before the Chief Justice, Sir Michael Myers, and a jury, Herbert Ere dor idle Manly was charged with the murder of Gladys Barrington Cromarty at Wanganui, on May 0. .Manly entered a plea of not guilty.

Air. N. R. Bain appeared for the Crown, ami Mr. W. J. Treadwell, with him Air. B. C. Haggitt, appeared for prisoner. Norman Annaibell, a civil engineer, I)r. Adams and Dr. Lynch, gave evidence. Elizabeth Cromarty, mother of the dead girl, said she arrived in Xew Zealand from Scotland in July, 132!), accompanied by three of her children. Three other children — Dora, Norman and Gladys—were already in New Zealand. About live months ago she took the house at Xo. (1 Ridgway Street. On January .3, 19.31), Gladys, who was 21, was employed by Air. Currie at Kai Iwi as a general help. While at that place she bcc-ame acquainted with accused. Eventually she became engaged to him and he gave her a ring. Witness was with Gladys when the riitg was bought, the latter having Manly's cheque. Some time later Manly left Air. (nrrie’s farm and came to Wanganui. He was going to Wellington to get a chef’s job. On the way through be stayed at No. (i Ridgway Sireet for three days. Gladys also h'it Mr. Currie’s and came homo alter Manly had gone to,.Wtellington; she stayed a few days and (hen went to Wellington. She obtained a position al the New Zealander Hotel as a waitress. Gladys arrived back at Wanganui on Wednesday, April 30, at about (i. 30 p.m. She had a had cold and was suffering from a nervous breakdown. Shi: did not have her engagement ring with her. While Gladys and

accused were in Wellington Alaiily sent her youngest son, -Stanley, to go to work in the kitchen of the New Zealander Hotel. On, Alay 6, 1930, .Manly and Stanley returned to Wanganui, arriving at 8.30 Manly brought two suitcases (produced). They were to leave again tor Wellington on May 10 or 11. I hey said they had ail appointment to go to in Wellington. She noticed nothing unusual about Manly. He and Gladys appeared to be quite friendly.

On the evening of May S; witnesscontiniieii. she heard Manly say: ”1: will be for the last time.” Gladys said: "What do you mean’?” -Manly repeated: "It will be for the ia-t time." After lunch next day, vihich. was the day of the tragedy, Gladys went up to her room to rest. Afaniy went to the bit teller's tor some meat, and returned without it. but went out again to get it ..•a his return. He stayed in the kiciieu for about live minutes, and then went upstairs. There was quietness for a while, then witness heard steps, and then later a sound as if someone was staggering. The kitchen door dew open and Gladys fell into the 'kitchen. Witness went to the back door screaming. Just as Gladys fell witness heard feet in the. lobby and the door closed. Cross-examined by Air. Treadwell, witness said she did not know of the engagement till Alar eh. Manly used to go to her house before they became engaged. Witness approved of the engagement,' and the parties seemed most happy. Manly’s conduct was everything that could he desired. Manly was anxious to help witness's sons get -dilations, it was on the night of April 30, when Gladys returned from Wellington, and it was then that witness heard that the ring had been returned to -Manly. On ihe day of the tragedy everything was normal, and everyone appeared happy. Dora Smith Cromarty said at lunch on the day of the tragedy Manly seemed to look out of the ••tail” of his eye at her sister. (_;:.idys went to the range to get I). • kettle, and he looked at her It oin I lie heels to tier shoulders. She had shoes on and no stockings. Manly remarked: "All that Gladys needs is a spade and she is ready I or I he beach.”

Proceeding, witness said after Manly returned with the meat in tl afternoon he stayed in the ikit- ■ hen for a few minutes, and then ... t .ni up-lairs. 'I lie next she heard

v. as soft footsteps, then there was a sort of thudding noise, and a minute later the kitchen door opened and Gladys fell in on her face ,* n l l gasped three times. Witness went to the front door and saw Manly walk briskly away. '. ’i oss-examined, witness said aci used’s manner was always the •suin' up to the time of the tragedy. She did not like the look accused cave her sister at lunch on the I’alefill day; it was not an affectionate one.

A Idler addressed to witness and her mother alleged to have been written by Manly was read also. One Idler, written by Manly from L; aol, dated July S, was addressed

in witness. At this stage the court adjourned till to-day.