TIMARU MURDER

Feilding Star, Volume XVI, Issue 4148, 19 November 1920, Page 6

TIMARU MURDER

MATTHEWS BEFORE THE

COURT

(Por Press Association.) Timarii, November IS. Reginald Matthews, charged with the murder of Clarence Edward Wagstaff a.t Timaru on October 27, appeared at the Magistrate's Court this morning before Mr Mosley, S.M. Mr A. T. Donnelly, Acting-Crown Prosecutor, of Christchurch, was council for accused. Between 30 and 40 Avitnesses are to be examined, and the proceedings are expected to last two days. Accused entered the dock Avithout displaying any emotion, and wearing several days' growth ot whiskers. He appeared to take a keen interest in the proceedings. Coming to the actual crime, Mr Donnelly said that three shots were fired, and three empty cartridge cases Avere found in Wagstaff's garden, one of them on the night of the murder, one next morning, and the third on November 3. Also that three post counterfoil -receipts for parcels sent from Wellington to Taihape, on the back of each was impressed Avith a rubber stamp: "Young Brown, champion light-weight boxer of California, 1917-18, born Invercargill." The stamp bad been hand-made, and set-up by hand. In a search of Parr's house, in the room accused had occupied, four pieces of paper Avere found, apparently torn from a writing block, and on each of them Avas the same stamped impression. Accused returned to Christchurch on October 25, and went to Phillipson's where the murder Avas mentioned. Accused said: "They Avould hove to prove it on the man." When he left the Phillipson's, he said he ivas goinrr to Wellington. He ""as arrested af Lyttelton, after wounding Constable Ternpleton Avith an automatic pistol. Fia'c cartridges Avere taken out of the same pistol, and these Avero of the same kind as the empty cases found in the garden. The first witnesses called Avere a photographer and a surveyor, who had prepared pictures and a plan to assist the court. Then follinved several ivitnesses avlio had been accosted by or who had seen thexcused in the vicinity on October 17.

Evidence Avas* given by a number of witnesses on the lines indicated by Mr Donnelly.