SLEDGE MARKS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 128, 1 June 1934, Page 8

SLEDGE MARKS.

CROSS-EXAMINATION.

MR NOR! HCROFPS QUESTIONS

THEORIES OF LAKE'S DEATH.

Close cross-examination of Detective T. Sneddon by Mr. E. H. N'orthcroft was the feature of the trial after the main edition of the "Star" wont to

press yesterday afternoon. Mr Northeroft: You arrived at Ruawaro about 4 p.m.?— Yes, with Allsopp iind lliroc constables.

You were the senior of the two detectives?— Yes. J am a little senior to him 1 was in charge till October IS.

When you arrived I think the common view was entertained that Mrs Lakoy had a. seizure and that Lakcy uaa found her and had gone away?-l could not say that.

Did you hear that view expressed?— * Vhat?— -No, Ido not take notice of views expressed. You read it in the paper on Octobei 1"? —No, 1 was too busy. When you arrived you no doubt noted carefully" the position of tilings about Lakey's place?— Yes. Mr. Northcroft showed witness a close-up photograph of Lakey's yard and implement shed, and asked him it it represented the condition of affairs as lie found them on Monday, October Iβ. "No," replied Detective Sneddon. "The bath was not there. The box was not in the place it. is in the picture. It was in front of the rails of the implement shed."

Did you make a search of the house? —Yes. *

A thorough eearcliT—Wo had a look through the house. Mr. Northcroft: Don't be modest. t His Honor: For instance, did you look under the beds? —Yes.

Mr. Northcroft: You have said that no part of the house appeared to be ransacked? —Y'es. Did you find any ammunition in the house ?-—Constable Robertson can tell you that. Ammunition in House. Mr. Northcroft (to witness): Now, will you be good enough to tell me what ammunition you saw?—l saw Constable Robertson take 39 .22 cartridges. Was it of different makes? —Yes, and some was short and some long. Was there any revolver ammunition ill the house?—Y'es, Constable Robertson took some. How many rounds?—l could not say. What make? —I can't say. Any shotgun ammunition! —Yes, some on a belt. How many?—l cannot say. A mixed lot. What size?— Twelve bore. Mr. Northcroft: In the right-hand bedroom was there a razor strop?—Y 7 es, and soap, but I did not notice a shaving brush. Did you sec in the left-hand bedroom any shaving gear?— No. AVas there any other shaving gear in the Idolise beyond what you have told us of?— - ? don't remember any other. About the Hair Brushes. What hair brushes were there? —In the right-hand bedroom was an old one with a handle. Was there a brush in the left-hand bedroom?—-Yes, two. One was without a handle. What became of them?— One was sent to Dr. Gilmour on December 20 and examined by him. Had it been used by the police officers in the meantime?— No. What happened to the brushes from tho left-hand bedroom?—l think they were also taken to Dr. Glimour, but I do not know when, or by whom. When you saw these brushes at Lakey's, did they have hair on them?—l am told they had cow hairs on them. When I first examined tho brush from the left-hand bedroom there was a little hair on it, but not many bristles. Mr. Northcroft: Perhaps 'at 6oms stage, if we are exceedingly lucky, we may see this brush— Mr. Meredith: Mr. Northcroft can have anything he wishes at any time.. Mr. Northcroft: Was there any liair apart from the bristles on this particular brush? Detective Sneddon: There was some coarse hair on it. The Sledge Marks. You found sledge marks on the Tuesday?— Yes, in the evening. When did you peg these marks?—On the same night. Did you find any other sledge marks that day?—No, except on Bayly's main route from his cowshed to his gate and on some newly-sown ground on George Furniss' property.

Did you find any other sledge marks on Bayly's property on any day?— Only Bavlv's sledge marks. That is no answer to my question. Did von at any time find sledge marks on other parts of Bayly's?—No. When did you first earn that Mrs Stevens had seen Bayly bringing hie ledge"out of his paddock ?-On October

2O bid vou search for sledge mark, that JJw Inconsistent with Mrs. Stevens' Bt Sd T yo.rhi.d any?-Xo. The grass was Ion" at the gateway, and it is difti;:l;,H: to Pick up sledge marks in long ,r,-ass We could only *ec those, sledge marks in Bayly's property near the telegraph pole in the eyening when the dew"was on the grass. On the day on which you found the sledge marks by the telegraph pole, what stock was in that paddock?— There was no stock at all. What stock was put in next day?— Three cows and a bull. And you had pegged the sledge marks the night before?— Yes. What size- was the paddoek? —1 don t " Well, it was about 12 acres. Do you think that four beasts in a 12-acro paddock would obliterate marks? —I don t know. Wβ thought Bayly put them in there so he could watch what we were So° your inference was not that ho was Irving to obliterate marks. How long did it take him to put the beasts in?— Not more than a few minutes. When did you first find dry bloodstained objects near Lakey's house? — On the Monday evening we found a stick under a bag on the kitchen floor. Thh was later accounted for by Constable Ross.

It was on the 17th when you saw Bayly and told him you were taking statements from settlors?— Yes.

It was natural, I suppose, for him to tell you ho was not on friendly terms with* Lakey, having regard for your questions to him? —Yes. In the vicinity of the sledge mark.4 you lifted two pieces of earth. I'm interested to know where they were. Was the point nearest to the telephone pole to the eastward? —Yes. They were near the pole. The first patch wars close to the fence, about 10 feet from the pole. Condition of Fence. Was there anything else about the grass to suggest that the body had been on the ground?— Yes. And I suggest that you made a minute examination of the grass up and down the fence line? —Yes. And you found nothing?— That is so. You suspected at that time that the body had been transported over that fene'e ? —Yes. And you cannot tell me how many wires are on that fence?—l did not count them. We may take it that in addition to a minute examination of the grass, vou also made a careful examination of'the fence ?—Yes. For what distance?— Just round that locality—3oft down from the telegraph pole. How far up?—Up and down the fence, about 30 feet either way. In that length of GO feet of fence, did you find any trace of blood or anything sinister having occurred?— No. Was any trace of "Lakey found on the 18th?—Xα. Finding of a Pipe. There was a pipe found, was there not l —Yes. Where ie it now? —It will be at the detective office. His Honor: Where was it found?— Near the fence in Lakey's back yard. I was not present when it was found.. Mr. KorthcToft: When was that pipe handed to you? — On Wednesday, the 18th. It was a cherry wood pipe and'full of tobacco?— Yes; it had the appearance of having been lit. That was an important find?— Yes, I suppose so. Can you tell us why you have not told us?—l was not asked. Do you have to be asked all important things?—lt was recognised as Lakey's pipe? It was shown to neighbours?— I did not sho\f it. No one identified it is Ln key's pipe. Did anybody else claim it as their pipe?—Xo. The inference is that it was Lakey's pipe? — The inference was that it had fallen out of a pocket. Did you record the finding of the pipe in your notebook?—No; the pipe was not briefed. Why?—l don't know. I was not in charge of the brief. Detective Sneddon, in the lower Court you referred to your notebook for some of your details? — Yes. You have not had, occasion to do so now. Is your memory better to-day?— Xo, but since the lower Court case I have become more familiar with the exhibits. In the lower. Court> you gave the measurements between "the cow droppinge from your notebook ?—Yee, but I remembered them then. I only referred to _my notebook to make sure. lou know I had access to vour notebook, which was put in as an exhibit in the lower Court, and I made a copv of it?—l did not know that. Nothing was said before by you concerning the cartridge case found in Lakey's garden. You knew I would see a reference to it in your notebook?— Yes, naturally. Is that why you mention it at this hearing?— No. It was not consideredMr. Northcroft: — desirable to let the defence know about it. His Honor: Let the witness answer his question, Mr. Northcroft. Mr. Meredith also complained about Mr. Northcroffs failing to let witness anewer. Finishing hie anewer, Detective Sneddon said that it was not considered important as it was an old cartridge case. The Court rose at 4.55 p.m.