THIS MAY'S PROCEEDINGS.

Auckland Star, Volume XVII, Issue 242, 14 October 1886, Page 2

THIS MAY'S PROCEEDINGS.

Inspector Broham was tho first witness called this morning. He deposed that ho went to 11«U'(> ic3idence on tho ovoning of August 15, und told tho accused that l;o hud° como to arrest thorn both an a charge of attempting to murder Mr? Hall by administering antimony. Miss Houston said, "Oh.antimony; that's what you got for your photography." HaU turned towards her and B:iid, " lioop quiet, . you hnvo nothing to do with tho case." Addressing witnoss ho said, ''I havo uoed antimony for a long time I use it with other things for asthma. You know I suffer from asthma." He tried to put his hands into his trousers pockets, and before boing soarched again forcod his hands into his trousers pockets. Witness ropoatod the evidence given by him in the Court boloiv as to Hall trying to take & phial out of his pocket and as to Houston's efforts to afhirtfc him. Tho phial and cork wore sent to Prof. Black.

Witnoas saw Dctoctivo Kirby take from hia pockot a small packet of tartar emetic. After searching him, witness said: " VN'o'l! now tfo and soarch your bedroom," and he replied, " You'll find plonty of antimony there. ' On approaching the dreseingtablo, witnossobservcd "Tayloronroisona" and Hall taking it up said—" I tupposo this also will toll against mo." Kail said ho usod antimony in preparation for cigarettes. Ho also said, "VVhatovor I did in connection with this matter, Mr Broham, I did aiono ; thero was no second person concorned in it." Witnosa idontilicd various exhibits put in-rage found in the garret and firowood od which koroeono had been sprinkled. On Soptoinbor 14th witness received from VI r Kirby a bottle containing brandy, which ho sent to Professor Black. Witness had iileo given l'rofoeeor Black half a cit;arctto found in Hall's bedroom.

To Mr Joynt : Had frequently beon to Hall's houso boforo August 15th, but not sinco Captain Cain's doath. Houston's words were : " Don't you uso antimony for photography I" Whon informed at whoec instanco tlie arrost was made, Hall usod strong languago concerning Dr. Rlclntyre. In tho course of tliis witno?s'a cross-ex-amination Mr Joynt again raieod tho question of tho Attorney General's right to roply. His Honor said ho soomod to havo boon mistaken in his remarks on TuoFday. What ho said was that, as then advised, tho Attorney-General has a right to reply, but wholhor ho choso to use that prerogative was another matter. The bos.t timo to determine that would bo whon all tho ovidonco had beon givon for the Crown, and if no witnesses were called far tho dofencc, it could then be decided whether tho Attornoy-Gonoral should eura up or roply. If Mr .loynt thought ho was in a position to s.-Lisfy biin on tho point of law that the Attorncy-Gonoral had no right to roply, ho (Ilia Honor) was prcparod to hoar him. Mr Joyut : I havo cited English ca;os to that ond.

llislionor: Ido not conßidor wo have had tho arguments.

Mr .loynt : Jf Your Honor would hear Iho argument on tho point, I should liko it takon to morrow morning, so that I might look up tho authorities. I cannot imagine a moro monstrous thing than tho Altornoy-Goneral claiming his prorogativo to roply wlion no witnoPHOR aro (.''died for thodofonco.

His Honor: You know you can make dexterous use oftho jury.

Mr .loynt: But when Iho Attorney General follows mo ho knows ho can do away with my dexterous uso. (Laughter). I should like to know ut tho oarliest opportunity if :h" AttorneyGon oral intends ufing hie prorogativo to reply, bocniiHo it may dotormino whothor I shall summon witnoesos from Timaru.

Crocs examination continued : Hall began to got voiy weak after ho win informed of tho charu'o against him, but rallied directly Mr Ktrby loft tho room. Beforo wo loft hia houeo ho had somo hrar.dy—genirno brandy —and net that which had been found in a bottlo and subsequently sent for analysis.

Mr Hay : Both tho accused socmed vory much Furprieed at our vi°it to Woodlands. Ho charged thorn instantly. The tono in which th 9 words, "Oh antimony! th it is iisod for photography,'1 were eaid by Mi*s Houston seemed to indicato that tho idea hul just struck her. It was «h:n Hall attempted to put his hand in his pocKot for tho third limo that Houston interfered. Sho raised a cry and rushed betweon us, oxerci-ing her full strength to separate us, Witne 8 could not aay whethor sho soi/.sd Hall or himielf. Tho ono thought in his mind was to provont Hall getting hU hands free. Sub sequent to tho arroet he eoarcho'l Houston's room, and took away a good many things, nonoofwhich wore sent for analyst. WhilQ hor box was being searched Houston ropcarodly said—" Mr Broham, it's all a mistako, and will bo explained to-morrow, won't it 1" When he asked tho nurso Mrs Ellison to search hor, Houston paid : But you am not going to take mo away, are you?" On her way down tho askod that fho might bo allowed to stay with Mrs Broham.

Ro-oxamincd by Mr Martin: Tho garret is vory small, boing only '2.} foot by IS inches.

Tho soldiorly, athletic inspector from Inspector from Timarn prosented a very lino appcaranco in tho witnoss-bci', and gave his evidence in a clear, tolling marinor, His Irish accent unmistakable proj claimed his nationality. While admitting that ho had not detailed fall the conversation which took place at the time of the arrest of tho acauscd, h3 was cuoful to oxplain that he had not selected the most damaging portions from a police point of view.

Mr Kirbey was last called and tho Court adjournod for lunch.