MURDER TRIAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 19 October 1920, Page 5

MURDER TRIAL.

THE EYRE TRAGEDY. TRIAL STILL UNFINISHED. By Talegraph.—Press Association. Auckland, Oct. 18. The charge against Samuel John Thorn of having murdered Sidney Seymour Eyre at Pukekawa on August 24 was continued in the Auckland Court.

James Granville, farmer, whose property is eighteen miles from Eyre's farm, deposed that the accused entered his employ about July H and occupied a wliare on the farm with another farm hand, Joseph Bell. Subsequently he fixed up another camp for Thorn about two miles from the house. Bell left witness' employ on August 23 (Monday). . A boy had been engaged to help Thorn, but, so far as Thorn knew, the Monday and Tuesday would be the only nights he would be sleeping alone at the new camp. Witness saw Thorn there on the Monday and Tuesday. Among the horses Thorn had in camp was Mickey, and the latter was the only horse wearing plain shoes that hud not heels on them. Witness was present when Thorn knocked off ploughing about 5 p.m. on the Tuesday. When witness got back to Thorn's camp at 9 a.m. next day Thorn was working a double-furrow plough with Mickey in the team. The accused had just started, and explained being late by saying that the horses were not working well. It was not till that night that witness heard of the murder. The police visited witness' place on the Wednesday evening and spoke to Thorn. Next morning they took Thorn to inspect the horses. Thorn asked witness what horse the police were after. When told Dick, he used a coarse expression to indicate that the police were on the wrong track, but when Thorn saw the police taking Mickey's shoes ho said "Oh." The accused's saddle was tried on Mickey and fitted.

j In cross-examination, the witness adj mitted that he had seen accused riding ] two other draught horses just prior to I the day of the murder, which would necessitate the accused lengthening the ' girth strap of his saddle. T. D. McLiver, solicitor and cotrustee in Eyre's will, said the estate was worth about £17,200. Mrs. Eyre had interest of one-sixth of the income, estimated at £157 per year. She was to get another £157 per year for her children's keep and education. EVIDENCE BY CHILDREN, SUGGESTIONS BY ACCUSED. THREAT TO IMPLICATE ANOTHER. f Auckland, Last Night. John Giles Eyre, 12 years old, corroborated his elder, brother Philip as to going for help on the night of the murder. During his school holidays last year he noticed unusual friendship between the accused and his mother, and he saw him kissing her on different occasions, even after his father returned. Witness corroborated previous evidence about actions indicating that the accused spied and eavesdropped on Mr. and Mrs. Eyre after the household had retired at night. Dora Millicent Eyre stated that after the shooting on the night of August 24 she heard a horse galloping over the bridge below the house. In answer to Mr. Singer (for the accused), witness said she heard her mother say: . "You had better go but by tho front door; I heard someone running round to the back, and it will bo safer to go qut at the front." ».

Andrew Matthew Shugar detailed a conversation which took place between W Taylor, licensee, and the accused at the Makau Hotel on August 30. This was to the effect that the accused, addressing Taylor, said: "What do you think will happen, Billi" Taylor replied: "I don't know Sam, hut I think the police are bound to get someone over it." The accused then said: "By , if they get- ine I'll drag some other into it. There is someone nearer the rope's end than they think they are," After further evidence the case was adjourned until to-morrow.