COMMITTED FOR TRIAL.

Auckland Star, Volume LIII, Issue 86, 11 April 1922, Page 5

COMMITTED FOR TRIAL.

STATEMENTS BY ACCUSED. (By Tclesraph.—Own Correspnndcnt.l THAMES, this day. On proceedings being resumed this morning the police evidence was continued by Constable Piley. who said that accused remarked, "1 asked her to go to Court and state that it was she who gave her husband whisky and not mc. She refused io do this and 1 lost my head and shot her." Page admitted that both deceased and himself partook of some liquor that morning, but Mrs. Hutchison had only a very little. Witness considered Page sober; he gave no indications; of being under the influence of liquor, and was iiko quite clear mentally, but appeared in considerable pain. A bottle found in the whare was produced by Sergeant McDonnell, who gave corroborative evidence and produced gruesome relics of the tragedy, including the deceased woman's clothing and belongings. When he charged Page vyith the murder of Mrs. Hutchison he replied: "I plead guilty: I'll take the rope: T don't deserve any leniency." A statement to this effect was signed in the presence of accused. Page had been previously warned that anything he said might be used in evidence against him. Sergeant McDonnell also said that in another statement Page admitted the whole responsibility of the crime and said "No one cl*e had anything to do with it. I take the whole blame." When asked if lie had anything to say prisoner without hesitation replied to the Magistrate: "Xo, sir." ■No evidence was called for the defence, and accused was remanded to appear at the Supreme Court, Auckland, on May 9. when he will stand his trial on a charge of wilful murder. Throughout the proceedings Page maintained an attitude of nonchalance almost approaching indifference, and did not i display the slightest trace of nervous-1 ness. , , . -, ■ .-