SEVEN CHARGES.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 183, 4 August 1936, Page 5

SEVEN CHARGES.

WOMAN STANDS TRIAL. EVIDENCE FOR CROWN. FEMALE WITNESSES' STORY. (By Telegraph.—Special to "Star.") NAPIER, this day. The hearing of evidence in the trial of Isabel Annie Aves, alias Craike, who faces seven charges of illegal use of an instrument, was begun before Mr. Justice Blair yesterday afternoon. Mr. H. B. Lusk is conducting the prosecution and accused is represented by Mr. C. G. E. Harker. Evidence similar to that which he gave at the preliminary hearing was heard from Hector McLennan Ross, a surveyor, who described the property 011 which the house occupied by Aves was situated. Cross-examined by Mr. Harker, witness said that near the section adjoining and forming part of the property leased by accused there was a large two-storeyed house, which had windows 011 the side facing the section. From the upstairs window there would be a good view of the duck run 011 Aves' property, while a portion of the back yard would be visible.

Evidence of communicating with Aves and of an operation which the latter performed on her was given by one of the principal female witnesses. Aves told witness that she had received word that the police were going to visit her house and had said witness would have to leave. Witness left at 4.30 in the morning by taxi, Aves seeing her off the premises. Aves cautioned witness before she left that if questioned witness was to say she performed the operation herself.

Mr. Harker: You have tolcl us you j received a telephone message from Mrs. Aves. How do you know it was she speaking?— She gave lier name. Prior to going to Hastings had you done anything yourself?— Yes, I obtained a bottlo of medicine and tablets from a chemist in Christchurch. You took them ? —Yes. Did you do anything else?—Xo. Why did you and the man responsible not marry?— Because he was not the man I loved. The Judge: How did you come to known Mrs. Aves or her address if you had never seen her?—l got her address from a person in Dannevirke. A married woman gave evidence of a search for a girl, in the course of which she had visited Aves' house. Witness had asked Aves if the first female witness was there, and Aves had said 110. To Mr. Harker, witness said she had told Av« the girl's mother was ill. Witness was acting 011 instructions from the police, beca-ise the girl's mother was too upset to go to the door. Long Trip in Taxi. A journey from 307, Fitzroy Avenue, Hastings, to Dannevirke was detailed by John Sidney Hicks, a taxi-driver. The Judge: Can you identify your passenger? At Mr. Lusk's instructions the first female witness returned to the Court room, but witness taid he could not positively identify her as his passenger. Evidence of having examined the first female witness was given by Dr. W. H. Dawson, of Dannevirke. To Air. Harker witness said he. was unable to determine whether the result had been brought about naturally or artificially.

An estate agent, Thomas Roulston, described the terms 011 which accused had leased the property at..307, Fitzroy Avenue, Hastings.

Mr. Harker: Since Aves leased the property she had always been known to you as a- reputable woman? —I should say so. She always paid the rent.

You regarded her as a fit and proper person to be in charge of the property? —Yes.

Recalled by the Crown, the first female witness said she identified the witness Hicks as the taxi-driver who drove her to Dannevirke. She paid him £3 for the fare.

The second of the principal female witnesses gave evidence of having visited Aves in June of last year. The only mention of money during the discussion which she had with Aves 011 her arrival was when Aves said she would not charge very much. Witness then went into a bedroom, where an operation was performed by Aves. The first operation, said witness, had been unsuccessful, and the use of another instrument was necessary, from which a result was obtained. Mr. Harker: When you went to see Aves did she know who you were?— No. I told her. Visits to Police Station. When were you first asked about anything that happened 13 months ago? —It was on a Sunday, by Detective Hayhurst. He asked me to go to the police station and as I was under age he could not take a statement from me without my mother being present. In the afternoon I took my mother to the station, where I made a statement. Mr. Harker: During the twelve months that intervened you had said nothing about it to anyone?— No.

How did you explain your absence?— I told the people where I worked that I had 'flu.

The Judge: Were you living at home at the time?— No. I told my people I had 'flu and was living at my boy friend's place. They did not suspect anything.

The man named by the previous wit-, ness gave evidence regarding a visit which he paid to Aves' house. Arrangements for payment of Aves' fee were discussed and accused agreed to perform an operation. Witness gave an 1.0. U. Witness could not pay the amount of £10 required by accused in the time stipulated (two weeks), owing to his being out of work and shortly afterwards he received a letter from Aves. He offered to pay her £1 a month, but received a reply stating that 30/ was required. He could not pay it, lipwever. While in hospital at a later date he received a notice to collect a registered letter which proved to be a summons claiming the sum of £19. "After my discharge I went to see Aves and offered her £5 extra if she would cancel the summons. It was agreed that I should sign an 1.0. U. for £G 10/. Witness later received another letter advising him that the summons would be gone 011 with if he "did not pay up." To Mr. Harker, witness said lie had been engaged to the girl but no offer of marriage had been made. Mr. Harker: In your letter to Aves you said you had been a patient at the hospital where you had had a finger off. Would you just show your hands to the jury ? Witness displayed his hands, showing 110 fingers missing or severed at the joints.