THE MOUNT EDEN GAOL CASE.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 11955, 6 August 1904, Page 3

THE MOUNT EDEN GAOL CASE.

FUKTHER EVIDENCE

(P&ESS ASSOCIATION* TELEGKAM-) AUCKLAND, August 5.

Giving evidence in the gaol case yesterday, Alex. Ironside, Chief Warder, said he gave O'Reilly instructions to use the figure 8 Eandcuffs on Jay if necessary. The Inspector of Police asked that Jay's photograph should be taken, but he was informed that a photograph could not be taken of a prisoner awaiting trial, except under instructions from Wellington. The Inspector telephoned that a circular had been issued authorising the gaol authorities to take photographs of such prisoners on request of the Inspector of Police, and that was sufficient authority. The next day the instructions arrived, and steps were taken to secure the photograph. Francis E. Severne, gaoler at the Auckland Prison, said that the Hon. T. Thompson gave Jay the option to be photographed or of being punished. He refused to be photographed, and the operation was held over. As Mr Baume had seen Mr Thompson, and had questioned the legality of the photographing in Jay's case, Mr Thompson came to no decision in regard to the punishment. On being asked what ho had eaid to Hamilton in reference to the matter, witness replied: "I told Hamilton that it was his duty to call the Chief ■ Warder, ami that it was the most disgraceful thing that I had ever seen in my experience, for one officer to assault another, nnd that, in my opinion, a man who did that was not fit to be in the service. Hamilton asked me if a man was to stand by and see- n. man booted all the way down to tho chair, and then hare his neck broken when ho got there." Mr Severn* added that lie told Hamilton he was talking nonsense. Ho conclyded: "I think so now." Mr Thompson thought the photographing should be postponed, in view of Mr Baume's re-presentation, but witness wax perfectly satisfied in his own mind as to the legality of the proceedings. The evidence having been concluded, Mr Lundon, solicitor for plaintiff, stated that he. was not "well enough to go on with the case- any further that day, and asked that it be* adjourned. The magistrate granted the adjournment sine die, Mr Martin offering no objection.