THE TIMARU MURDER. Hall Before The Magistrate. [BY TELEGRAPH-PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

Waikato Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2246, 30 November 1886, Page 2

THE TIMARU MURDER. Hall Before The Magistrate. [ BY TELEGRAPH-PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

Timaru, Monday. Thr hearing of the Cain murder case wa« cununenced before Mr Beswick R.M. today. The court was crowded. Hall looks far more worn than usual, extreme nervousness having taken possession of him. Hall stood charged with the wilful murder of one Henry Cain. Mr White, in hin opening address, dwelt chiefly on Hall's financial position, which, about the time of his marriage, was shown to b« most unsound, and of the great gain which the death of Cain would be to him financially and otherwise. It would be proved that the credit of the firm of Hull and MaHon was bolstered up by promissory notes, shown afterwards tube forgeries. It would be shown also that Hall was a frequent visitor to Capt. Cain's house during the latter's illness, and had often an opportunity given him to effect the purpose of murder as Hall was in the habit of giving Cain food, wine, and other things. As to the symptoms of Capt. Cain's illness, these were to bo explained by competent witnesses. After his death suspicion was aroused, and the body was exhumed, when, upon analysis, it was found to contain a considerable quantity of antimony. It would be shown that in May, 1885, Hall bought "Taylor on Poisons." About this time also he purchased antimony, colchicnm wine, and atropia from chemists in Timaru. He had actually bought atmpia but a day or two before Capt. Cain's death. The learned counsel thought that altogether there was a very strong case against the prisoner. The evidence to-day chiefly related to Hall's financial position.