ALLEGED MURDER

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 55, Issue 245, 30 July 1935, Page 3

ALLEGED MURDER

POISON CHOCOLATES EATEN.

EVIDENCE FOR THE CROWN. (Per Press Association). GREYMOUTH, July 29. At the Magistrate’s Court this afternoon, John Skikelthorp Page was charged l with the murder of Margaret May Smith, aged 22, at Blackball on September 24 last, and with attempted murder of Ethel Bragg and Jean Clark. The case is a sequel to the Blackball chocolate poisoning, which aroused much public interest.

Inspector Donald Cameron conducted the prosecution, and Mr H. Paterson appeared for the accused. Fifty-eight witnesses will bo called for the' Crown, and the hearing is expected to last till Friday afternoon. The adjourned inquest is being resumed, and is being held simultaneously with the trial. In opening the case, Inspector Cameron said the evidence would be sufficient to set up a strong prima facie case against the accused. The principal question was one of disputed handwriting. Two experts had carefully examined the writing on the package, which contained the poisoned chocolates, and the note inside, and also the writing on other envelopes and letters, and they would swear that the writing was the same as that admitted to be the writing of the accused. Much evidence would be given concerning the movements of the accused before and after the death of Margaret Smith. The first witness for the Crown, Alan Ashley Wilkinson, Public Works Department surveyor, gave formal evidence regarding the locality concerned in the case. Constable J. B', Kearton, police photographer, Christchurch, stated that on October 3, 1934, he received exhibits, including a wrapper addressed in pencil, “Misses Clark and Bragg, Blackball,” a note written in pencil on a half-sheet of notepaper reading: “Will I see you and Tommy -at the Ngahere dance on Saturday next? Jim,” and an envelope addressed to the postmaster at Blackball, with ‘ Tq post please” in the top corner. On various dates between October 3 and April ,4 witness received further exhibits, including a noto which the Inspector suggested should not be read in Court as it was a rather offensive thing to one of the witnesses. Hie note was handed to the Magistrate. Witness also detailed further exhibits, including letters to lni^ 01 Davies, of the Labour Department, Greymouth. and Mr Strong, Gey County Council inspector He said the contents of the letters did not affect the case. The only matter ox interest was the handwriting. Witness also received a sheet of paper with block printing, and also a piece of 'blotting paper on which the word layloiville” appeared in reverse form, i e photographed the exhibits, and supplied copies of the photographs to Messrs Collins and Moore, handwnting experts. Mr Collins prepaied charts of words and letters, and also an index giving the connection e tween them and the exhibits. Senior-Sergeant Edmund A\ alter Dinnie, in charge ox the criminal registration brahch, Wellington, stated that he saw certain oi the exhibits on November 30, 1934, including a copy of the testimonials of Page, and also an application form for enrolment in the New Zealand Police Force signed by Page. He gave detailed evidence of other exhibits allegedly containing specimens of accused’s handwriting. He referred also to a sheet ot red cellophane paper, a sheet of post ofhee cancellation marks impressed m bis presence at the general post ofhee, Wellington, and he produced _ the stamps by which the marks had been made, and 19 photographs of the exhibits. Sydney William Samuel Strong, engineer for the Unemployment Board’s gold prospecting scheme, said lie knew the accused, who was employed under his supervision for some time. He had liad correspondence with the accused and knew his handwriting. He had seen accused write, and could identify his handwriting. The letters produced were in accused’s handwriting. To Mr Paterson: I concluded the letters were from Page because they were addressed to me signed with his name. Agnes Sarah Smith, mother of Margaret Smith, said her daughter was born at Blackball in 1912, and was unmarried. For about four years before her death she had been employed by Mr Dumpleton at his shop. At 7.45 a.m. on September 24, she left home in her usual good health and spirits loi work. At about 11 a.m. witness went to the shop in consequence of* a message received. On witness’s arrival she found her daughter lying on a bed - m Dumpleton\s residence with her eyes closed. She asked for and was given a drink of water. Dr. Hutson, of Blackball, arrived after witness. Her daughter’s body was twitching and she appeared to have convulsions. Hbr face was screwed up as if in pain. Witness remained until she died a short time afterwards. Witness said that her daughter was very popular in Blackball and was always good friends with people round the district. Never at any time did witness have reason to suspect that anyone would wish to do her harm. The hearing was adjourned until to-morrow morning.