THE TIMARU SENSATION.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 4702, 1 September 1886, Page 3

THE TIMARU SE NSATION.

Iter press association.] Timabu, Yesterday. Thomas Hall and Margaret Graham Houston were again brought up this morning, charged with the attempted murder of Hall's wife. The Bench was constituted the Mine as yesterday, and the same counsel appeared. Detective Kirby continued his evidence. He said he wished to correct a statement he had made yesterday concerning giving tho accused Hall some brandy. Mr Joynt wished the evidence to remain as it was taken down. The witness could make another statement if he wished to do so. The witness said that Hall had some brandy before Inspector Broham and witness went upstairs to search the sleeping apartment. This was the brandy given to Constable Egan by Mrs Ellison, and subsequently brought to the police station. It was the brandy that Inspector Broham had remarked was cloudy. The witness then corroborated Inspector Broham's evidence respecting the articles found on the prisoner at the tima of his arrest. Tho book produced, " Taylor on Poisons," was found in the bedroom. The book was now in the same state as when it was taken from the house. Witness did not examine the book to see if {hero was any writing in it till the following morning. Ho then saw, Inspector Broham boing present at the time, thi-.t"T. Hull, ISS2'" was written on the front leaf. On the back leaf there was "T.Hall, Duuedin, 1882" The writing was in ueucil. The book had never been oiit of witness's custody until he saw the writing the next day. The leaf torn out was torn out before witness rook possession of the book. Witness did not, part with any of the exhibits from tho loth instant until they were sealed up by the Inspector on the 16th.

Cross-examined by Mr Hay : The female accused exclaimed, " Antimony!" immediately after the charge had been stated by Mr Broham. She repeated the word " Antimony." Miss Houston said "Oh ! you use antimony in photograhy" immediately after. She was addressing Hall in the presence of the others. lam quite certain that the words used were not " Oh ! that was what you were going to get to do some experiment." I had not returned to the room when Miss Houston is said to have interfered between Hall and the Inspector. Thomas Hicks, stable and watchhouse keeper, deposed that he cut the pockets from the trousers that Hall wore when he came to the lock-up. Witness took them off when Hall went to bed. Detective Kirby was present when witness cut the pockets off. Witness noticed nothing unusual about the pockets. Witness did not examine them. The Inspector went out of the sergeant's office about five minutes to II o'clock on the night the prisoners were arrested. The sergeant next camo in and went out, and directly the sergeant went out Hall rose from his chair and went towards Miss Houston and said, " You are quite safe and will be able to get clear. It is [ that am in it. I cannot possibly get off." Hall said nothint* further. The female prisoner did not reply.

David Strickland, a constable, said that on the night of the 15th inst. he received a packet from the nurse and marked it " sick room." Witness gave it to Inspector Broham at the house. Witness found a cork on the hearthrug. Witness saw the cork cut in half by Dr M'lntyre, and half of it handed over to Constable Daly. A lot of things were handed over to Daly at the same time. The medicines were in bottles, sealed and labelled, in Inspector Broham's office.

John Daly, constable, deposed that he received a quantity of things from Inspector Broham on tho 16th inst. They were packed in a box in the presence of the Inspector and the detective. Witness sealed it, placed it in a travelling hag, and locked the bag. On tho night of the 17th witness took the box to Dunedin, and on the following morning delivered it over to Professor Black. The seal was still intact. Witness received the box bac;k from Professor Black yesterday morning, and produced it in Court with Professor Black's seal.

Eugene Egan, constable, said that on leaving the dining-room, after Hall was arrested, for some brandy, he took it into the room and gave it to Inspector BrOham. Witness got it from the nurse, Mrs Ellison. Mr Broham did not like the color of the brandy, and asked whether there was any more to be had. Witness enquired of the nurse, and she got some moro. She took it into the room.

Edmund Colter, gaoler, deposed that the accused W'tc brought to tho gaol on Monday, the lUlh instant. On the Tuesday or Wednesday the female accused asked for writing matt-rials for tho purpose of writing to Mrs Thos. Hall. A letter was brought into witness's office from Miss Houston by the matron, witness's wife. The letter was addressed to Mrs T. Hall, Woodlands. Inside the letter was another written on tho back of an envelope of a telegram. Witness read the enclosure, and afterwards destroyed it. Witness could recollect tho major portion of tho contents, as he had read it half a dozen times or more. It began, "Dear Tommy Dodd, —I should like very much to see you. I have not asked them, as it is contrary to the rules. Although they are very kind they must do their duty. What dreadful weather ! If it does not clear up I will want another . I have been writing to Kitty this afternoon." The letter concluded "Ever yours, Megrims." Ou the outside was written " Mr T. Hall."

Arthur Ormsby, solicitor, gave particulars respecting preparing the will »f MiHall by instructions from the male prisoner, leaving everything real and personal to him.

Peter William Hutton said that tho book produced was on the action of medicines, by Dr Headland. Witness was acquainted with Hall. Hall came into that corner of witness's shop in which medical books were kept, and ho mentioned antimony as being what ho wanted information about among others. Witness took down the book produced, and looking at the contents roferred Hall to the pages on that subject. The leaves were not cut. Witness held the book open, saying, " Here, Mr Hall, ia what you are enquiring for." With witness's permission Hall cut the leaves and afterwards bought tho book. Subsequently, about a month after, Hall saw witness again about a medical book, and said he would like it very much if witness would let him havo a look at "Taylor op Poisons," making a remark that he would bring it ' over again. Witness lent the book, and Hall brought _ it back, and re-borrowed it. On its being

l-eturned the second time witness said, "You had better buy it, Mr Hall. It's been a long time in stock aud I will let you have it cheap." Witness offered it to him for 16s 6d, and ho took it at that price. Before going out of the shop he put the book down on the glass case, took a pencil cut of his pocket, and wrote at the beginning and end of the book. He wrote on the brown cover. Witness could identify the book produced as the one he sold to Hall and tho ono Hall previously borrowed. Beforo leaving the shop Hall made enquiries as to other books on poisons, which witness said he would obtain for him if required. The writinsr in the book was just where witness would expect it to be. Thero was no entry in witness's books of tho salt, of the book, as it was a cash purchase On Saturday, May 9th, Hall purchased "The Action of Medicine."

James Forbes, plumber, deposed that ho knew the accused's bedroom, from which a door in the side of the wall led to a space between the sofa and ceiling' of the room below. Witness had occasion to go in thero for the purpose of putting in some bellwires. Witness had to use a candle as the place was dark. It appeared to have boon used as a lumber room once, as there wero some rags about, but not many. Witness detected no smell of any kind. None of the articles produced (the sack, rags, kerosene, and timber, were in the place. Witness saw no stains there, and there were no basrs in the same place. The rags witness saw wero mostly dark in color.

Thomas Peters deposed that accused Hall camo to Hibbard's grocer shop in August last and ordered a tin of kerosene. He told witness to wrap it up in brown paper and send it to his (Hall's) office, and he would take it up home himself. The book produced showed that the kerosene was sold on August 26th. Hall had never ordered kerosene at Hibbard's before, but it had been ordered to be sent up to the house by other people. Tho brand sent to the office of accused was the " Crystal. " Tiie book showed that a tin of kerosene had been supplied on May 21st., but the entry was not in witness's writing. There was a case of kerosene containing two tins which was sold on 15th July.

B. Hibbard, grocer, deposed that th« accused Hall purchased a tin of kerosene on August 2nd from witness. C. A. Wilson deposed that ho remembered a packet wrapped in brown paper coming to the office of Hall. Witness' did not know what became of the parcel, nor what the parcel contained, nor had he the slightest idea. Never saw kerosene used in the office. The writing in the book, "Taylor on Poisons," was Hall's. Witness had no doubt about the writing at the end of tho book being Hall's. Witness had produced the books of the Imperial Insurance Company, fcr which Hall was agent. Thero were two entries of insurances by Hall. The first was for £600 over furniture and effects in a building situate at Woodlands, North-street, Timaru. The other entry was for insuring a house at Woodlands for £500 and an outhouse and daily for £75.

Maud Hamersley, wife of Mr Hamersley, solicitor, Timaru, deposed that sho knew Mrs Thomas Hall. Witness recollected being at the house shortly before Mrs Hall's baby was born. Witness had a cup of tea there on that occasion. Witness had been in good health up to that time. Mr and Mrs Hall, Miss Houston, Mr Hamersley (and Mr Smithson, witness thought, but was not quite sure), and witness herself were present. Witness thought she took the tea from a tray, but was not quite sure. Could not remember whether it was poured out in the room. When witness took the tea either Mr Hall or Miss Houston said "That is Mrs Hall's," giving as a reason that it had no susrar or milk. Could

not remember whether she was told moro than once that it was Mrs Hall's tea. Witness did not put any milk or susrar in tho tea, but drank it as it was. Witness remained at the Halls' about half an hour after drinking the tea. Witness was driven direct to her own house. During the journey witness was sick, and had also been sick before sho started for home. About half an hour elapsed between the time of drinking the tea and witness being sick. Felt no other illness besides the sickness. Was a little bit ill after reaching home, but could not remember whether she had a good night. Was quite well the next day. Could not account in any way for the sickness, and had never been so violently ill since. Vomited a good deal after taking food. Witness knew the Halls' house, and went there on the Tues • day morning after the arrest of the accused, and stayed till the Thursday afternoon. Knew the small room upstairs with a door into a garret, and was in there on tho Wednesday evening. Went with Mrs Ellison. Noticed a strong smell of kerosene. Witness looked into the garret to see if there was any kerosene in there. On looking round the corner witness saw a tin of kerosene out of sight. Saw some rubbish, but did not notice sufficiently to describe it. The smell in the garret was much stronger than in tho room. Lifted the tin to see if there was any kerosene, and found it was nearly full. Did not move the tin, but left it where it was. The Court adjourned till 10.30 noxt day.