THE CRIPPEN CASE

Evening Star, Issue 14512, 2 November 1910, Page 3

THE CRIPPEN CASE

NEW ZEALANDER’S EVIDENCE. [From Our Special Correspondent.] LONDON, September 23. Ono of tlie witnesses at tho magisterial proceedings at Bow Street this week against Dr Crippon and Miss Leneve was au Aucklander, Mr G. Mcrvyn Rylance, who described Iris association with Crippon in the New Oxford street dental business. Mr Rylance, who possesses a New Zealand qualification, said ho now carries on a dental business in his own name at Albion House, New Oxford street. Ho first met Dr Crippcn about the middle of 1907, and about February or March of this year entered into a partnership agreement with him. Under tho agreement witness was to carry on the dental part of tho business of the “ Vale Tooth Specialists,” and Cnppen was to look after the advertising. The business was continued until Crippcn left on July 9. Mr Travers Humphreys: Did you know Mrs Crippen?—Yes. I went to the house in Hilldrop crescent on two occasions. I last saw her on a Wednesday at the end of January. When did yon first hear that she had disappeared?— About the first Wednesday in February I heard from Dr Crippen that she had gone to America. Somebody from tho Music-hall Ladies’ Guild asked me if Mrs Crippen had been at Albion House. I then spoke to Dr Crippen, who said: “Have you not noticed that I have been looking lonely ? Mrs Crippcn is half-way to America now.” Did yon have any further conversations with him about his wife?—l asked Dr Crippen if he had received a letter. On the first occasion lie said that he had had news from Mrs Crippon. She was over in America. The second time I asked after her Dr Crippcn said she had a cold. Did lie tell you how he knew she had a told?—I understood that it was through a letter. t , Did you ever see any letter?— No. What did Dr Crippen tell yon when you next asked about Mrs Crippen?— That she had not taken care of herself, and was seriously ill with pneumonia, which she had contracted on the voyage. I heard of her death from a lady on tho day before Good Friday. Dr Crippen had arranged to go away for a holiday at Easter. He to]d me when he came back that ho had been to Dieppe with Miss Lenevo and her aunt. When he returned • from his holiday, did he tell yon anything about his wife’s death?—l asked him how Iris wife was, and ho told me she was dead. After that, did he invite you to visit him?— Yes; ho asked me to go to Hilldrop crescent and take afternoon tea and dinner with him and his wife, meaning Miss Leneve. Did either lie or Miss Lenevo tell you that they had been married?— Yes; before I went to have tea with him Dr Crippen told me that ho was married to Miss Leneve. On July 9 did Dr Crippen come to business?— Yes; ho was there when I arrived at eleven o’clock. Witness went on to state that lie saw Inspector Dew on July 8 at Albion House, and he asked Dr Crippen who the officer was. Dr Crippen said: “ A Scotland Yard detective, come to see about tho estates of Belle Elmore.” That was tho only explanation lie gave. Witness was very busy on the following day, July 9, and did nob have any conversation with Dr Crippcn. After that day ho did not again see either Dr Crippen or Miss Leneve until they appeared at Bow Street. On Monday, July 11, lie received the following letter from Dr Cripon:— Dear Dr Rylance,—l now find that in order to escape trouble I shall bo obliged to absent myself for a time. I believe that with tho business as it is now going you will run on all right, so far as money matters go. . . . T shall write you later on more fully. With kind wishes for your success, yours sincerely, U. H. Crippen. Did you hear anything more*from him after that date?—No, except through his lawyer. Cross-examined by Mr Newton, witness said ho believed the lease of tho premises was taken by Dr Crippen, who financed tho business. Witness acted as the expert. Did _you know that Dr Crippcn was prescribing for a number of private , patients ?—No, I did nob. Did you that he was making up prescriptions and sending out medicine?—l knew that he made up some proscriptions.