Alleged Wife Poisoning. The Two Prisoners Before the Court.

Te Aroha News, Volume IV, Issue 160, 28 August 1886, Page 6

Alleged Wife Poisoning. The Two Prisoners Before the Court.

Timaru, Augus? 25. Thomas Hall and Margaret Houston were brought up at tho R. M. Court this morning. There was great excitement, and the Court was crowded long before 11 o'clock, while outside a large number of people assembled. Mr J. S. Beswick, R.M., Mr T. E. Eldworthey and Mr H. J. Lecren were on the Bench Mr J. W. White applied for seven days' remand, on account of Professor Black's inability to be present, as he was obliged to go to Invercargill on a Supreme Court case to-morrow. He could not be here till Saturday at earliest. Mr Joynt, for Hall, strongly opposed a remand on the score of common senso and justice. He argued that Professor Black's evidence was only as an export, and he understood there were plenty of witnesses as to the facts present. These should be examined, as, until some evidence was given, the defence could not decide what to do. It was unfair to the accused, who should be regarded as innocent until proved guilty, that the remand should be granted unloss good reason was shown, which had not been done by Mr White. Mr Hay, on behalf of Houston, also protested against the remand. Mr White replied to the effect that the interests of justice demanded thathis request be granted. Professor Black's evidence must be taken first, before that of the local medical experts. He depreciated the insinuation of unworthy motives put forward by Mr Joynt. The Bench said they would take the assurance of the Crown Prosecutor that a remand was necessary. Mr Joynt protested, but without avail, and a remand till Monday next was granted, Mr White stating that all the available evidence would be §ono on with on that day, but the case could not c completed, as Mrs Hall would be called as a witness, and tho medical information was to the effect that she would not be able to be in court fora fortnight. Thos. Hall was then charged on four informations for forgery, and remanded for a week. The prisoners were then removed to the gaol, a great crowd witnessing their departure. Some slight hissing took place. It appears that the prisoner Margaret Houston was engaged as " companion " to Mrs Hall, and formed part of the prisoner's household. The " Otago Daily Times" suggests that Professor Ogston, who frequently acted aa an expert in important Crown cases in Scotland, and who is an eminent toxologist, should assist the #rown Prosecutor at Timaru.