POIGNANT PROTEST.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 305, 26 December 1931, Page 3 (Supplement)

POIGNANT PROTEST.

HAUNTED WITNESS.

ECHO OF READING MURDER,

"EVIL MEMORIES ARE LASTING."

Mir. Philip Yale Drew, the actor, who was one of the principal witnesses at the sensational inquiry into the Reading shop murder mystery two years ago, complains in the following poignant interview, published in "Reynolds'," that his unfortunate association with the crime has' left a stigma on his name which he has not yet been able to live down.

"Evil memories are lasting," he said. "Although it is two years ago that I passed through the most horrible period of my life a cruel fate will not permit me to erase that terrible ordeal from my mind.. Alfred Oliver, the victim of what came to be known as the 'Reading Murder Mystery,' was brutally battered to death in his tobacconist shop in Cross Street on June- 22, 1929. His assailant has never been brought to justice, although Scotland Yard's cleverest detectives made the most exhaustive investigations into every conceivable clue. "During the last stage of the coroner's inquest in October of that year, it became evident from the line of questioning to which I was submitted that I was suspected of the crime. I shall never forget that terrible- afternoon of October 10. 1929, when the jury left the Court to consider their verdict. Unanswered Prayer. "During the two hours and 48 minutes that they were away I prayed that their verdict might be anything rather than an open one. That prayer, however, was not answered. Their finding was one of wilful murder against some person or persons unknown. "My conscience is clear, and_ I have stated publicly on numerous occasions that I have not the remotest knowledge of the perpetrator of the crime. Yet, in spite of my innocence, and the length of time which has elapsed since the murder, the odium of those terrible days still dogs my life. t "It seems incredible, but it is perfectly true, that there are scores of thoughtless inquisitive people who will not let me forget that awful nightmare. _ Wherever I go someone seems to recognise me, and it is quite a common experience to be asked such questions as: How does it feel to live under a cloud for two years? Has it caused you great depression? Have you ever contemplated suicide? Why can't we come and see you act? How do you account for it all? Mental Torture. "Even where no words are spoken I am often ldoked at in a i.vay that leaves no doubt in my mind as to what is meant to be conveyed. Why should a man in this free country, where our sense of justice and fair play is proverbial, be submitted to such mental torture? Am I always to be blamed for something which is not my fault? Why am I singled out? Is it a test? If so, why me? Is it to show others how much one can stand? Why is it that the person who caused the trouble does not