AFTER TWENTY YEARS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 61, 30 November 1907, Page 2

AFTER TWENTY YEARS.

OLD URIAHS RECALLED. THE TIMARU POISONING CASES. ' The "Auckland Heiuld" understands that in the course of a few days Thos. Hall, who was convicted of an attempt to murder his wife by administering antimony poison, at Tiinaru, in. 188U, will be liberated from Mount Eden Gaol, where he has been lodged for some years past. Towards the end of 1886 the South Canterbury centre, Timaru—indeed, the whole of New Zealand—was much excited over the arrest and trial of a well-known man on- charirfis nf tm>t..i«»

and attempted murder by the use of antimony poison. The affair created a great sensation, and as a matter of fact to the present day the story of the famous trial is atill told by those who were old enough at the time to recollect the main features. The man who was placed on trial for his life—Thomas Hall—was wel 1 connected, and was known in social circles throughout New Zealand, being a nephew of Sir John Hall, who shortly before that time was Premier of New Zealand. Stepping forth a free man after nearly 21 years, Hall has served the severest sentence short of death, namely, "for the term of his natural life." It was on the evening of Sunday, August 15, 1886, that Thomas HaU, commission agent, and a young woman, a nuree, were arrested, the charge being one of attempting to murder Catherine Hall by means of antimony. Subsequently there were charges of murder made in respect to the death of Captain Cain, father-in-law of Hall; and at one time resident in Auckland. A Dr. M'lntyre, in attendance on Mrs. Hall, had

~~v«. ™i.reu uj vwuuu symptoms, and his suspicions were aroused to such an extent that he carefully noted her condition from day to day, at last being

convinced of finding traces of antimony m her food and drink. He called in another doctor, who confirmed the suspicions, and the arrests followed immediately. Mr. Joynt, one of the ablest advocates of the day, was retained for the defence, and his memorable fight for his client was long recorded in legal circles as one of the nn%t efforts in the annals of the New Zealand Courts. A week after the arrest Hall was further charged with forgery of transfer of a mortgage, forgery of a promissory note for £225, and two other forgeries, and on his appearance in Court there were hostile demonstrations by enormous crowds in the streets. The attempted murder charge was really commenced on August 30, and then the evidence was to the effect that Hall, who had only been married in May of the previous year, had, 17 days before the wedding, purchased books on poison, which he was frequently noticed studying. Two months after the marriage a solicitor waa instructed by | Hall to prepare his wife's will in favour of him, and Hall aIRO secured- two policies on his wife's life, one for £SOOO, payable upon her death, and the other for a like amount payable, in the event of her death, in seven years. In Juno of 1886 Hall purchased antimonial wine and several quantities of antimony, and evidence was called with a view to showing that the antimony was administered at various times, and particularly in a drink of ice water, given Mrs. Hall by her husband on the Sunday prior to the arrest. Mrs. Hall complained of the bitter taste of the water, and it made her sick. Hall, when ar-

vested, was found to have an antimony phinl in his pocket, which he tried to dispose of while a detective's back was turned. It was also alleged that hn had prepared to burn his house down, and had insured his furniture for £2OOO. After the arrest Mrs. Hall gradually improved in henlth. I On October 10, 1880, after a memorable trial at Chrietehurch Supreme Court, in which Sir Robert Stout acted for the prosecution, Hall was found guilty, and the nurse, who was charged with him, was acquitted, the case against her having broken down. The male prisoner was then sentenced to penal servitude for IFFe. Afterwards Hall stood his trial for the murder of Captain Cain, whose brulv was c\humed, and the presence of antimony detected in the remains. Hall was, however, acquitted _ r

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