DRUCE-PORTLAND CASE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 302, 23 December 1907, Page 3

DRUCE-PORTLAND CASE.

FURTHER EVIDENCE. BODY TO BE EXHUMED. Received Dec. 22, 4.58 p.m. London, December 21. Catherine Bailey, in cross-examination, said that Druee, by whom she was employed for many years, always shaved his beard. In earlier years he had no moustache after having shaved. Witness, when shown a large photograph, Xo. 7 of alleged Druee-Portlanl photographs, with side whiskers, recognised it as Druce's. She said she had one similar to it, taken later. He alio had another taken three years before he died, showing him with a full beard and moustache. She had heard silly gossip'ng people talk about a mock I funeral. Asked when she lir-t heard the ■story, witness replied: "I suppn„:> when Druee was supposed to die or did die.'' Witness further states that lictween i 1818 anil ISljf Druee never slept at hU I residence unit** his family accompanied I him. Shy and Dr. Shaw were present when the lmdy was placed in the coflin. To Mr. Plowden. witness said she attributed the mock I'nwral story to Anna Maria Druee, the original claimant. Furtlier hearing was adjourned till the lith of lanuarv.

All the preliminaries in connection with the opening of Druee'* grave in the Ilighgate cemetery Inve Iven settled, but the exhumation of the remains will not take place until after Christmas.