WANGANUI MURDER-TRIAL

Greymouth Evening Star, 12 August 1930, Page 5

WANGANUI MURDER-TRIAL

EVIDENCE FOR CROWN WITNESS FAINTS IN COURT [PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.] WANGANUI, August 11. At the Manley murder trial, the mother of the dead girl was submitted to a lengthy cross-examination by Mt Treadwell, for the accused. 'Dora Cromarty, sister of the deceased, said that the accused’s manner right up to the time of the tragic happening, was as it always had been —very friendly. It was never any dif ferent until the afternoon of the tragedy. Manley was heartbroken over the broken engagement. Two letters from Manley to Dora were put in as evidence. One was written from the gaol at Wellington. The case was adjourned until tomorrow'. •'

s TO-DAY’S PROCEEDINGS. WANGANUI, August 12.

The trial of Herbert Frederick Manley was continued before the Chief Justice and jury to-day.

Stanley Gown Cromarty corroborated much of the evidence of, his -sister, and said that on April 28, he received a telegram from Manley asking him to go to Wellington. He went and worked at the New Zealander Hotel. The next day Gladys left the apd returned to Wanganui. The same evening! witness and Manley were paid off, and both returned to Wanganui, but intended going back to Wellington later. On arrival, witness and Manley stayed at witness’ mother’s residence. He believed that on Friday morning Manley asked him w’here the police station.was. Witness called at his home in the afternoon and found his sister dedd. Cross-examined, "witness said he had not met Manley until three weeks after the engagement. A dramatic episode occurred when witness fainted in the box, after asking for a drink of water. His mother, who was in court, began to weep, and had to leave the courtroom. The cross examination of the witness was postponed, and another witness was heard. . x . . George Orr, who was staying at Cromarty’s, said that he was in the house on the Thursday evening prior to the departure of Gladys and Manley to the pictures. Witness remarked that it was funny a mam taking a girl to the pictures when his engagement had been broken off. Charlotte McGrcth said that she was passing along Ridgway on Friday, May 9, and saw a man run down Wilson Street. On May 17, witness identified Manley as the man she had seen running away.

NEWSPAPER PHOTOGRAPHS. Mr Treadwell: After this tragic happening, did not a great deal appear in the newspapers, together with a photograph of accused? Witness: I don’t think so. --Did not accused’s photograph appear before you went round to the police station?—l don’t know. I was at the police station on the second day of the Wanganui races. Mr Treadwell: Unfortunately, I don’t know what that was. —It was May 17. Before you went to the police station, you had the benefit of .seeing accused’s photograph in the newspapers?—Yes. His. Honor: I hope the Press will carefully consider the propriety of publishing photographs of accused persons. Sometimes it may* be an advantage to accused persons, but on the whole I myself think that it should not be done.

Noel McDonald stated that he met Manley on the Friday in question. They had a couple of drinks together, and Manley stated that his engagement had been broken off.

Vera Campbell, of Wellington, said that she- saw Manley and Gladys in Wellington. She was speaking to them. Gladys was wearing her ring on her right hand. Witness knew of theengagement. Witness next met Manley on May 3. She went to see accused because Gladys had not written. He told witness that he was leaving, and said that Gladys and he were finished. Manley said that if he could not have Gladys, nobody would. To Mr Treadwell: She thought that the statement was silly. Stanley Cromarty returned to the witness box, and continued his evidence.

To Mr Treadwell: He did not come into contact with Manley, till about three weeks after the engagement. He remembered when Manley stayed with his mother, prior to going to Wellington. During that time, witness saw a good deal of Manley, and thought he was

A NICE CHAP.

The family enjoyed being in Manley’s company. Witness got out of work, and accused was anxious to get him a situation. Witness later went to Wellington and was met by Gladys and Manley. He went to the New Zealander Hotel and started work the day after his arrival. Gladys returned to Wanganui, and on the even ing of May 5, the proprietor paid off both Manley and witness. Mr Treadwell: Why did that happen?—Manley was not suitable. He appeared depressed. There was no objection to Manley taking Gladys to the pictures on the night prior to the tragedy. On the morning of the mur der, Manley appeared to be nervous, and was shaking all over. Later the same morning, both -witness and Manley had a game of billiards. Accused later asked where the police station was. All appeared happy at lunch time. On the Friday night witness expected Manley to pay a social call at Wanganui East. Detective Walsh gave evidence of going to the scene of the tragedy in response to a message. The body was lying in the kitchen as described by Dr Adams. Witness was unsuccessful in finding a weapon about the house. On returning to the police station at 6.20, witness saw Manley there, and he commenced an examination. Witness asked Manley to step on a table, and Manley replied: “I am ( not denying it.” (Proceeding.)