SAVED FROM THE SCAFFOLD.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3297, 16 August 1911, Page 8

SAVED FROM THE SCAFFOLD.

THE SINGAPORE DRAMA,

A SENSATIONAL STORY

There was a sensational trial at Singapore the other day -(before Mr Justice -Sfeccombe Smith and two assessors) of Mrs Proudlock, wife of Mr William Proudlock, acting head master of the Victoria Institute at Kuala Lumem, on a charge of murdering her iend, Mr Steward. The story of the trial, as told at the magisterial inquiry, ■was as follows:

Mr Steward dined at the Empire Hotel on the night of April 23rd, and suddenly left his friends, exclaiming: “I have an appointment at nine o’clock.” He rushed from the hotel and went in a ricksha to the house of Mr and Mrs Proudlock. According to the evidence of Mr Proudlock, he (Proudlock), dined with a Mr Ambler on the evening of the tragedy, his wife remaining at home. About ten minutes past nine the cook came round to Mr Ambler’s house and asked for Mr Proudlock, who saw' at once from the man’s communication that something was wrong. He w'ent home, and on reaching the compound -met his wife staggering towards him across the yard with blood on her dress and cheek. She told him incoherently that she had shot a man. He found the verandah in some disorder. On Mrs Proudlock having somewhat regained her composure, she narrated that Mr Steward had called and conversed, and that she rose to get a book from the verandah bookshelf; that Mr Steward rose also, encircling her with his arm, and attempted to assault her. —A Fatal Struggle.— Mr Proudlock asked his wife where Mr Steward was. and she answered : “I don’t know. He ran. He ran.” Witness went to search, and found the body 20 or 30 paces from the verandah steps. He summoned the police. The revolver used in shooting had, Mr Proudlock added, been bought on April 18th at his suggestion. He and his wife had on. two occasions practised shooting with it. His own impression was that his wife was at the moment out of her mind, and she indeed told him her reason had gone. He noticed that her dress was torn in front, and felt sure there must have been a struggle.

Medical evidence showed that there was a bullet wound through the breast and heart which were fatal, though the deceased might have run a short distance after receiving it; while there were five other wounds in the back of the neck, jaw, and skull. Mr Ambler, assistant master at Victoria Institute, who accompanied Mr Proudlock home when the latter was summoned by the cook, gave an account which corroborated in the main that given by the prisoner’s husband. —Police Inspector’s Evidence. — Considerable importance attached to the evidence of Police-inspector Wyatt, who went to the scene on the night of the alleged murder. He affirmed that there was no blood on the verandah, though the accused’s dress and the revolver were covered with it, and that he found a bullet buried in the turf where the deceased lay, thus implying that at least one of the shots had been fired after he had fallen. There was also a bullet in the roof of the porch, the hole of entry being inside the porch. The only signs of disorder in the verandah were, the inspector said, that a_ small table was overturned, and the objects thereon scattered. In opening the case, the Public Prosecutor urged that the visit of Mr Steward had been prearranged. The question was whether the accused was justified in following up Mr Steward after shooting him on the verandah and doing him to death. —The Husband’s Evidence.--Mr Proudlock was then called to the witness box, and'began .to relate what the accused ha'd said on his 'return on the night- of the alleged murder. The Court intervened, asking the accused whether, she, objected. She .replied in the negative. Mr Proudlock then" went on to say that as soon as he saw' her she said: "Blood, blood! I’ve shot a 1 man V’ and appeared greatly disturbed. His wife subsequently made a statement to him to the effect that she was finishing a letter when Mr Steward arrived. He sent off his ricksha coolie, came on to the verandah, and ultimately put his arm around her, saying he loved her, and adding some words which disclosed an evil purpose. She struggled, and while she was trying ‘to switch on the lights her hand came into contact with the revolver. She was frightened, and fired once, hut remembered hearing two reports. Then she stumbled and recollected nothing more <->!' she found herself back'in the verandah with the pistol in her hand. The jury convicted the prisoner, who was sentenced to death, but an agitation arose in her favor, with the result that the native ruler (a woman) granted a free pardon, believing her story that she had shot Mr Steward m defence of her honor: