THE ALLEGED CASE OF WIFE POISONING.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1551, 2 September 1886, Page 2

THE ALLEGED CASE OF WIFE POISONING.

FIRST DAY— Monday. [Before J. Beswick, Esq,, R.M., E., Elwortty and H. J. LeCren, Eeqa., J.P.’s.] The following is a continuation of the hearing of the charge against Thomas Hall and Margaret Graham Houston of the attempted murder of Catharine Hall by the administration of antimony poison ; Detective Kirby continued : There was also a packet of tartar emetic on the table which I took possession of* h Iso a small bottle labelled “Colchicum Wine, Watkins.’' Mr Broham, accused, and myself, then proceeded down stairs. We searched some shelves in the passage, and took possession of a bottle labelled “ lime water.” We then went into the bath room and found some bottles there. Took possession of them, and from there we proceeded’’ to the dining room. Wo there got a bottle of brandy. I handed it to Broham, and he poured some out in a glass, remarking, “It is muddy and cloudy.” H*U said it was pure. Inspector Broham said it was not. Hall persisted in saying it was, and endeavored to get hold of the glass, hut Broham prevented him. I took possession of the bottle containing the spirits, and also of the other articles. At this stage, it being 4.30, his Worship asked Mr Martin how much longer the witness would be required. Mr Martin replied about three-quarters of an hour, and suggested that if HU Worship desired they could take the adjournment at that tine, especially as there was a kind of break in the witness’ evidence. His Worship decided to adjourn the Court until 10.30 next morning.

SECOND DAY—Ttjbsday.

[Before J. S. Berwick, Esq., R.M., Edward Elwortby, and H. J. LoOeu, Esqs., J.P.’s.] The evidence of Oatective Kirby was resumed. He stated that he wished to correct a statement be made on the previous day regarding the brandy. He said “ Hall bad some brandy before we Vent tip to his sleeping apartment, that was directly after we searched him. This was the brandy given by Constable Egan to Mrs Ellison. Male accused had not, I think, any of it. This brandy we found cloudy and subsequently we brought it to the police station." The remainder of hie evidence was merely corroborative of Inspector Broliam’s. The witness identified the articles produced and explained how they were found. In cross-examination by Mr Hay the witness said directly after, Mr Broham read the information, Houston repealed the word " antimony " two or three times. It was directly after repeating this word that she said, “ Oh ! you use antimony in photography.” She was, he, understood, addressing Mr Broham and witness, at least she spoke in the presence of them. Thos, Hicks, watch-house keeper, deposed to the prisoners being brought to (he lock up on the night of the 15th and to cutting the pockets out of Hall’s trousers. He heard Hall say to Miss Houston, "You’re quite safe ; and will be able to get clear. It is I that is in for it; 1 can’t possibly get off.*’ Miss Hoogton did not reply to Hall's remarks. Constables Strickland, Daly, Egftn, and Casey gave evidence corrobora.iftg that of Inspector Broham and Detective Kirby. Edwin Cotter, called by,Mr Martin, said : I am the gaoler at Timaru, I know accused. They were brought to the gaol on the 16th of this month. . The female accused on the 17th asked for writing paper ; said she wanted to write to Mrs Thomas Hall.. I supplied her with paper, and a letter was brought into piy office from her. The letter was addressed to “Mrs T. Hall, Woodlands,’’ and in this letter was another. This other letter was written on the back of a telegraphic envelope. I read this letter and kept it. I then destroyed it. I recollect the major portion of the contents, 1 read it half a dozen times. It began “ Dear Tommy Dodd, I should like very much to see you, I have not asked them, as it is . contrary to the rules. Although they are very kind still they must do their duty. What dreadful weather; if it don’t soon clear up we must build another ark. I have been writing to Kitty this afternoon;’’ The fottea concladeu " Ever yours', Megrims.’’ On the outside was writtan PMrT. Hall.” I don’t remember anything else. Mr Hay: You seem to recollect the contents of the letter pretty well, but 1 will refresh your memory a little; Did the letter contain these words—" I am writing you a few lines just to tell you tq keep your heart up”| Witness ; No ; there was something about cheer up; Monday will soon ba here. Mr Hay j Did the letter state "I have received a letter from Kitty this after* noon Witness; No.

Mr Hay : Nor “ I have received a letter from Kitty this afternoon” I Witness: No. Mr Hay : Did the letter contain these i words—“f hod a letter from Kitty yesterday”? Witness : No ; ! do not recollect this.. Mr Hay : Nor “ I told her 1 would write you (Hall) a few lines” ? Witness : No ; I’m sure the letter did not contain those-words. - , Mr Huy ; Nor “from always you* friend, Megrims” ? Witness;'No. Mr Hay : Nor the expression “ love”? Witness ; No. Mr Hny complained that Mr opening remarks were oaloulated te mislead the public respectingtlie contents of the letter, but the Court did not think the matter of any importance. ... Arthur Ormsby: I am a solicitorpractising in Timaru. I knew accused, Hall. I prepared this will for Mrs T. Hall by Ball’s instructions. On the 24th July Mrs Hall cams .to me, but with reference to will I saw Hall a few days before the 24th July, but I did uot enter the conversation in my diary, because. I did not take it us an instruction. Hall and Mrs Hall was corning in to see me -in a few clays. That was before-the 24th. On this date alter seeing Hall 1 drafted the will; engrossed it on the 27th ; ; on the 29th Mrs Hall came in and road tba will herself. 1 then kept it a few days ; Hall came for it and gave mo a written receipt for it. ’ lie got the will and made the receipt out on the 4th August, ,188$. I did not write to Mrs Hail concerning, the will. I was not 'Hall’s solicitor nor Mrs Stall’s ; but some long time ago—two. or three years—she spoke to mo about her trnst property. I was in my office when I spoke to hsr. The last time I remember Mrs Hall came to me was during Captain Cain’s lifetime, to see something about a deed of indemnity to be given to him. This would be about three months before he died. Peter William Hutton, bookseller, Timaru, deposed to Hall buying the book “Actions of Medicines,” by Dr Headlands on Saturday May 9th, 1885. The book “ Taylor on Poisons ’’-was purchased from his shop about a month afterwards. It was a cash purchase, the price being l«s 6d.

James Forbes, foreman plumber for Mr Craigle, said he was working at Hall’s house last March, and finished about the 16th April. He knew Hall’s bedroom upstairs, off which a smaller bedroom opens. He noticed a door in the side of the wall leading out from this room to the loft—to a space between the down stairs ceiling and the roof—he went in there ;he had to fit bell wires. He had to use a candle there, it was so dark.. It appeared to have been used as a lumber room; there were a few pieces of rags and paper scattered about. He did not observe any straw or kerosene. All the rags’that were there were of a dark colour.- There were no bags of any kind about erjpieces of timber. ‘Thomas Piters, assistant at Mr B. Hibbard’s grocer, gave evidence as to the kerosene he had sold to Hall. The kerosene he sold was sunt to Hall’s house. Benj. Edwd. Hibbard said he, knew accused Hall. He had been dealing with him for two jean. Ho believed there was soms kercsefte sent to Hall’s in July. From the book he saw the entry was July 14th, 1 case (2 tins) to Hall. On August 2nd Hall got one tin ; it was sent to him. Andrew Aveadn, a boy employed by Mr Hibbard, deposed to delivering a parcel wrapped in brown paper at Hall and Meason’s office about a month ago. It was about the same size and shape as a tin of kerosene. He took it in the cart by Peters'- instructions, and,on arrival at the office •by Wilson’s instructions he placed it on a table. C. W. Wilson, Clerk at Hall and Meason’s, deposed to the boy Aveson leaving a : parcel wrapped in brown paper at the' office a month ago. It was afterwards taken away, hut he did not know whether it went the same day. Kerosene was not used at. the office. He thought the writing in. the book “Taylor on Poisons,” was in Hall’s writing. The witness then deposed to the insuring of Hall’s furniture and effects on the 11th July in the Imperial Insurance Company for £6OO, and of the house known as “ Woodlands,’’(Hall's residence, for £SOO, and ouHhousee and dairy for £75, Maud Hamersley, examined by Mr Martin, said;; lam the wife of A.-St. G. Hamersley, solicitor. I know Mr and Mrs T. Hall. I was at their house shortly before Mrs Hall’s baby was born. I had some tea at their house. I had been in good health up to that time, Mr and Mrs Hall and Mias Houston were in the room; also Mr Hamersley and Mr Smithson, but 1 am not quite sure about the latter being present. Tea was passed round and I took a cup; I think from the tray. 1 cannot remember if the tea was poured out in the room. When I took tea somebody said something, either Hall or Miss .Houston, that it was Mrs Hall’s tea, giving; M a reason that it had no sugar or milk in it. 1 drank the tea, . I cannot remember if they told me more than once that it was Mrs Hall’s tea. I did not put milk or sugar in the tea. I drank it a> it was. I remained at the house about half-an-hour after drinking the tea. 1 drove from Hail’s direct home. I was very sick during the drive, and before I left ; also when- 1 got home. A few minute* elapsed before I fell ill after drinking th« tea, and I could keep nothing on my stomach. I was all right next day. The sickness continued for some time. I could not account for the sickness in any way, and have not been so violently ill since. I retched a good deal after taking foodI know the house occupied by Hall, and was there on the Tuesday morning after the prisoners were arrested. I stayed there till the Thursday following. I was in a small room upstairs on the Wedpesday evening. I noticed a.smell of kerosene, Mrs Ellison, the nurse, was with me. I went up to a cupboard to see if there was kerosene there. There is only one cupboard in the * room. 1 saw a tin of kerosene there. You couM not s'ie it as you opened the doer; ns there is a chimney right in front. I saw some things, but 1 did not notice them snf fioiently to remember and describe them. The smell of kerosene in the garret or loft was much stronger than iti the room. I lifted the tin of kerosene to qee liq.v much was in it and found it nearly full. I just took it opt and put it. bick, I di I not remove the tin. The Court then, at 5.10 p.m., adjourned tilt 10,30 the following morning.