THE TIMARU SENSATION.

Auckland Star, Volume XVII, Issue 217, 15 September 1886, Page 5

THE TIMARU SENSATION.

Charge of Attempted Wlfo Murder, (bt telegram own correspondent.)

Timaeu, this day. TnEgreateatoxcitement prevailod inTimaru yeaterday when it was known that HaU would bo brought from Lyttolton Gaol by the expreaa train. A tremendous crowd assembled at the railway station, but the police authorities had provided for the occasion, and the carriage convoyingthepriaonor was detached on reaching Tirnaru station, and was taken on to a siding some quarter tt'f a mile further on, and thence Hall was conveyed to the Court-house by a back street. The people rushed up tlio road when they saw what had been,done, but only a lew were on the spot to soo the prisoner alight. At one o'clock Hall and Houston wero brought into Couit. The male prisoner looked well, but somewhat haggard, aud when the two met they shook hands cordially, and chatted together laughingly till the Magistrates took their seats on the Bench. It was generally noticed that both appeared to be on the best of terms, and the flighty conduct of Miss Houston througnout the inquiry is certainly the strongest evidence against her so far. , Mr Beswick said that he thought tlio application for a remand, which no underBtood the Crown was about to make, might be disposed of there and then, but Hall's counsel said ho meant to oppose it, and as tie had not his papers with him he would like the suegested adjournment till 2 o'clock to bo allowed.

Punctually at 2 o'clock tho prisoners were again brought into Court. Mr Whito said : I have to ask for a farther remand of the prisoners till Monday next. On Saturday last I ascertained from Dr. Mclntyre that Mrs Hall was. not physically strong enough to give h'or ovidenca in this Court, and I accordingly gave notice to tho othor side of my intention to ask for a remand. Since then Dr. Mclntyro has again seen Mrs Hall, and he is prepared, if tho Court wish it., to go into the box and swear that eho is not able to give evidence to-day, nor will she be able to do co until Monday nest. Mr Beewiok : Is her evidence essential? Mr White : Yes, quite essontial, your Worship. I may add that undor any circumstances I will undertake to clot'c tho case on Monday next. Mr Perry said that he would strongly oppose the application. The prisoners had now been remandsd from time to time so that this preliminary inquiry had lasted for a month all bat two days. Now tho Court was asked to grant a further remand of a week, which he considered was altogether unreasonable. Tho Court would remember that on a previous occasion Mr Joynt, the leading counsel in the ca?o, had Btated that the defence would tiko no advantage of tho prosecution if Mrs Hall wa? not called. It was then pointod out that her evidence could be tairon in tho Supreme Court. It should also bo coneidored that it was intended to apply for a change of v-cmie, and if that application was granted, tho case would come on at Christchurch. Tbosessibr.s there commence on October 4th, twenty days from now, and if the remand was given for anothor seven da*s, it would mean that only 13 days would bo given to pro pare tho case for defending a heavy and large chargo. In a momentous and heavy case like this, it was altogether unreasonable for the prosocution to tako up the position they did.

A lfttle skirmishing thon took place botween Mr Porry and Mr Beswick, tho latter stating that the counsel for the dotence had no rifcht to criticise the manner En which the prosecution was being conducted.

This over, Mr Perry said that his strongest objection to the remand had yot to be etated. Mrs Hall had been oxamined by Drs. Lovegrove and Reid, who had given certificates to the effect that she was sufficientlyrecovered togive evidence. Hewould put thoso gentlemen in the box to substantiate tbi», if required. In conclusion, ho respectfully submitted that ho had shown ample reason for the remand not being grantod. Mr Hay followed on bohalf of tho female prisoner, and strongly protested against any remand being granted. Ho said so littlo evidence bad besn adduced against his client that ho meant to address the Court when the inquiry was over, arguing that no prima facie casa had been made out against her. Mr Beswick was very severe on tho defonoe for having adopted the tactics of calling in professional men to contradict the opinion of Dr. Mclntyre, who had been Mro Hall's medical attendant formonth and mv t know more of her constitution than efcrangers. Hβ did not see why Dr.Mclntyro should be put in the box sothat counsel for defence might cross-examine him, but he would accept the Crown Prosecutor's aseurance that Mre Hall was not able to give her evidence, and that it was essential to the case, and would grant a remand till Thursday, at 2 p m. Hall was takon back to the Lyttelton Gaol by the Northern express. He was handcuffed, and attended by a warder, a large number of people being on the platform tosee him depart. It ie understood here that pressure is being put upon the R.M. to commit the accused to Cbristchurcb, and the feeling is strong as to the impropriety of dealing with the case in any way but the ordinary one. There ia no likelihood of Mr Beswick yielding to the pressure, and if a change of venue is granted it will only be after application to the Supreme Court.