KILBIRNIE MURDER

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 1, Issue 62, 4 November 1931, Page 3

KILBIRNIE MURDER

(Press Assn.

CASE CONTINUES WORKMAN SAYS HE SAW COATS DIGGING A HOLE BURIAL OF GIRL *

— By Telegraph — Copyright).

WELLINGTON, Tuesday. The trial of George Errol Coats for the alleged murder of Phillis Avis Symons was eontinued to-day. Arthur de Maine, waiter, proceeded with his evidence along the lines of that given in the lower Court. He said he thought a certain instrument he had seen in Coats's room was for use because Coats had an earache. On June 4 accused said something to witness about tapping Phillis on the back of the neck at Hataitai. On that night Phillis had come into Coats's room where witness was, and had complained that her neck was sore. On June 25 witness met Coats, who said he was going to Hataitai to get a "cobber" to leave out a shovel, so that he could bury a dog. On June 26 Coats told witness that Phillis had gone home. Between that time and July 6, the day when Coats was arrested, Phillis's name was never mentioned between them, although he saw Coats pretty well every day. Cross-examined, witness said that Coats was always doing the best he could for Phillis. The girl often spoke of suicide, but Coats tried to cheer her up. He was pjepared to marry the girl, and as far as witness' knowledge went there was no s:gn of Coats getting tired of her during the whole time they were together. Witness had advised the girl to go home, but she said she would sooner die than go home, as her mother was very cruel to her. Considered a Hostile Witness Shortly after the Crown Prosecutor commenced to re-examine witness he made an application for witness to be declared hostile. The end of the argument on the point was heard in Chambers. When the Court resumed the Judge announced that he had agreed to the apph'cation, and the witness De Maine was treated as hostile. He was questioned as to the evidence he had given in the Lower Court and the luncheon adjournment was taken at the conclusion of his evidence. Would Never Be Found John David Glover, machinist, said Coats and Phillis were living together in Kent Terrace in April, 1931. The girl was in a certain condition and Coats said he would have to use an instrument and ij she died he could very easily put her over in Hataitai. "When the girl was not present Coats sometimes mentioned the gully at Hataitai saying that 100 tons of earth went over there every day and if anyone was buried there they would never be found. One night when witness was playing cards with Coats' sister Evie, De Maine and Coats, Evie said to Coats he would have to do something about Phil. Coats replied he would have to see about it. Once Evie said to witness rrIf Phil died Would he help to bury her." Witness replied "No! What do you think I am." Digging a Hole Witness described the various happenings in Coats' room and the finding of a letter after Phillis had gone away. He did not think the letter of any importance and it was a week later he showed it to Melville who gave it to the girl's father. Robert Brockie, who was employed on relief works at Hataitai, said that he saw Coats digging a hole in part of the dip away from where he was working. The Court adjourned till 10 a.m. to-day.