INTERVIEW WITH PRIESTLY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1108, 22 May 1883, Page 3

INTERVIEW WITH PRIESTLY.

The representative of the Northern Wairoa Gazette latelyinterviewedPriestly, the theological student, who, alone: with Mrs Hamilton, was recently tried for the murder of the latter's husband. In the course of a long story he complains that the police did not caulion him at the time of the arrest, and also that, while in gaol an endeavour was made to eatrap him into making written statements which might furnish evidence against him. He then denies that he had ever been improperly intimate with Mrs Hamilton, and adds : I certainly was very friendly with her, but it was only—yes, you ate right, it was a sort of platonic friendship. I saw no ha*m in it. To the pure all things are pure. But now, looking at it from the worldly point of view, I see how jealous neighbours might and did magnify it into harm. With regard to the question, ' Why did I try to give a false address as to where I slept on the night of Hamilton's death, it was in this way : —That evening I called to see the L s I found them all in a heavy drinking mood. I tried to persuade them out of it, and I stayed till very late in order that perhaps my presence might influence them, and so I stayed all night. The next day, when I thought over the matter, it came into my mind, What will the people of the church think if they ever hear that I spent the night with such a drunken dissolute loi ? and many of my respectable friends would condemn me for staying in sujh a disreputable place; so 1 was tempted to ask Mrs Horn to say 1 slept at ! her place on (hat night I cannot give any definite theory as to what caused poor Hamilton's death, although I feel convinced that Mrs Hamilton knew all the < particulars. I was rather surprise 1 to I hear that Mis Hamilton had taken h r departure to Sydney, and in ln-r maiden nani3, too No, I shall not join her, as you say is rumored. I hope I may never see In r face again. I hive suffjred ddep mental misery enough on h :r account. I shall try to p-it a long distance between us soon as I can. 1 sh .11 not go into the Ministry again that trial might often then be thro vn i" my faie. Y '3, I do believe tli.it some day the truth of the mystery will be known. Mis Hamilton is very strong-willed, but perhaps when the cold hand of death is laid upon her s'ie

will fear to go into the presence of her Maker with any load on her conscience, and she may confess the dread secret if she knows it. But God help her, for she must have a miserable time of it if so. Will I take another glass of sherry? Thanks, I will, and with your permission I will light my pipe. I have only lately taken to smoking. We all do it in the bush you know.'