TWO IN DOCK.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 75, 30 March 1939, Page 12

TWO IN DOCK.

McKAY AND TALBOT FURTHER REMANDED. IDENTITY QUESTION. STATEMENT BY COUNSEL. The two suspects arrested in connection with the Tiha fire mystery, Cordon Robert McKay and James Arthur Talbot, appeared together in the dock in the Police Court for the first time to-day. They were further remanded to April (i, on the application of the police. Both are still to remain in custody. Tn contrast to his declaration, when he first, appeared in the Police Court last Friday, that he was not McKay, this prisoner did not speak while he was in the (lock to-day. His counsel said that although the prisoner still thought he was "Tom Bowlands" (the name he gave to the arresting detectives), the questiuu of identity was not involved. The Police. Court was packed to capacity to-day, many persons be inn unable to pain admission. The two were brought down to the Court with others from the prison in the police van, their brief appearance as they,left the vail and entered the rear door of the prisoners' room being witnessed by a curious crowd which packed the lane. A feature of the big crowd in Court was the'presence of a number of well-dressed women. Minus the Beard. Minus the stubbly beard he was wearing when he appeared last Friday morning after his arrest » in Grafton Road by Detective-Sergeants F. N. Aplin and J. Trethewey the previous night, McKay looked much better in health. During the few minutes he kept Talbot company in the dock he did not speak at all.

Mr. ,C r R. Orr; Walker, S.M., was en the bench. Mr. J. Terry appeared for 'i'iil hot and Mr. R;: C. J. Sanderson for .McKayi The prisonerswere jointly charged, on or about' February 12, at Piha, with' wilfully setting fire to a dwelling house owned by Frank Carew-Thomas, thereby committing the £ crime of arson, and further, on or about February 10, with improperly" interfering with a dead human body— the-bOdy of Patrick Henry Shine. *. .. . This was Talbot's third appearance in the Police Court aince his arrest on March 10. McKay was making his second appearance. McKay was shown on the charge sheet as an Australian, his occupation being given as that of a wool and skin dealer. Ho Was charged under the name of McKay, alias "Tom Rowlands," his local address being given! as Grafton Road. Talbot, described as a labourer and an Australian, aged 43, ■was shown to reside at 14, Hardinge Street. " Thinks He's ' Tom Bowlandi.'" Detective Sergeant* Walsh asked that both prisoners : be .remanded to April 6. "1 hope that on ,the Qth. some indication will be given when, wo. will be able to proceed," said Mr. Walsh.',. . Mr. Terry. There cfua, be, no objection to that. However, I can only again draw attention to the close; proximity of the Supreme Court session. I' trustthat the police vvilj assist to give cieut time, for the preparation of the" defence.,' The police have taken 'neatly 10 weeks to prepare their'case. The date suggested tot the hearing will be 10 days before tie sessions pfyen."' "The date suggested will probably be all right, .but if it is not satisfactory there would be nonobjection; by the 5 police to the matter not being taken- ai the coming session," said Mr. Walsh. Mr. Orr Walkers-Last-week one of the prisoners claimed he, was not McKay — Mr. Sanderson • Lest week he was quite abnormal mentally and physically. Although he still thinks, he is "Tom Bow.lands," I'm riot.raising ariy point as to his identity. ' . Mr. Orr Walker: If there is any question of identity involved the court would assist by giving a hearing on that question. "No, sir," replied Mr. Sanderson. "We are not taking any point on the question of identity." ■{ The magistrate then granted a remand in each case tin til April 6. The two prisoners then left the dock, McKay carefully surveying the large crowd in the court as he walked slowly back to the prisoners' room.