FIFTY WITNESSES.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 11, 13 January 1934, Page 10

FIFTY WITNESSES.

RUAWARO MYSTERY.

DOUBLE MURDER CHARGE.

PREPARATIONS TOR TUESDAY.

Over fifty witnesses are to be called In the Police Court to give evidence for the prosecution on the double murder charge against William Alfred Bayly, farmer, aged 28. The heaving is expected to begin before Mr. Wyvern Wilson, S.M., on Tuesday. Bayly, who was arrested by Detectives* Sneddon, Allsopp and Walsh on December 4. will 'answer charges of murdering Mrs. Christoble Lakey and her-husband, , -Samuel Pender Lakey, at Ruawaro, near Huntly, on or about October 15 last. The case for the Crown will be conducted by Mr. V. R. Meredith, Crown Prosecutor in Auckland, and accused will be defended by Mr. E. H. Northcroft, instructed by Mr. R. B. Lusk, who will also appear. If counsel agree, the Court will sit from 10 in the morning until 12.45 or 1 o'clock, and will resume at 2.15. At 3.30 an adjournment of 10 minutes will be taken, and the Court will then continue until 4.30 or 5 o'clock, as may be acceptable to counsel. If necessary, the Court will sit at night. It has been reported in the past few days that the defence proposes to apply for the suppression of evidence in the ■Lower Court, but so far no decision on that point has been reached by Bayly's counsel. Before the case goes to trial in the Supreme Court, an application will be made to the judge in chambers for a change of venue. This application will be opposed. Centres in both the North and South Islands have been mentioned as a suitable place for the trial, but decision as to whether there should be a change of venue rests with the Supreme Court. Special arrangements hare been made for the transport of the Ruawaro witnesses, and it is understood that they will be brought to Auckland in small batches. The milking of their cows will be. undertaken by neighbours who do not have to appear in Court on that particular day.