THE DRUCE CASE.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXX, Issue 9008, 18 December 1907, Page 5

THE DRUCE CASE.

A MASS OF CONTRADICTIONS

VALUE OF MISS HAMILTON'S

EVIDENCE.

Received December 17, 9.1 a.m LONDON, December 16

In connection with the flight of Caldwell, a witness in the Drucu case, upon Mr Jones abandoning Caldwell's evidence, Mr Plowden, the magistrate, asked what, value was .then attached to other testimony regarding the mock funeral, particularly Miss Hamilton's vivid corroboration. Mr Jones asked that her evidence .-should be treated separately. _ Mr Horace Avory, K.C.. in opening for the defence, characterised the prosecution as a mass of contrad'ctions and inconsistencies. i Received IDecember 17, 9.58 pm. v LONDON, December 16. ■Caldwell's departure for America ii 3 .confirmed. Received iDecemher jttf, 11.35 p.m. LONDON, December 17. Mr Horace Avory contended that everyone .o,f the .promoters and subscribers to the Bruce companies were liable to be iprosecuted. Probably the promoters iof the companies would eventually :be charged .with conspiracy for preferring a false claim to the Portland and other estates, and Hollamby Druce with conspiracy for falsely accusing defendant and swindling foolish subscribers. Defendant wes willing if the interests of justice demanded to allow the grave to be opened. Catherine Bailey, for many years in Druce's employ, testified that be died in December, 1864.

The case has been adjourned until Friday.