CASHEL STREET MYSTERY.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume I, Issue 63, 24 February 1911, Page 8

CASHEL STREET MYSTERY.

STATEMENT BY SADLER.

A NEW DEVELOPMENT.

Christchurch, Feb. 24. The inquest into the death of Ethel May Bradley was resumed to-day.

Walter Richard Sadler, one of the men charged with murder connected with the affair, went into the witness box and said he was in his shop at about 9.30 on February 7, clearing up, when Jack, who was employed there, came in and said: “I have a friend outside, she says she is ill.” Ethel Bradley followed Jack into the shop. She seemed very ill and witness got her water and sent Jack for whisky. She let the glass drop and witness, getting alarmed, ran out after Jack. He thought deceased had a fit, and when they got back they found she was lying on the floor. They lifted her on a couch and soon realised that she was dead. Witness had no idea what was the matter with her. He and Jack, both very excited, went for a walk. They thought of telling the police and sending for a doctor, but witness was anxious not to be mixed up in the affair, and thought that if they could get the body away, his connection with it would be undiscovered. He and Jack carried the body on a sack to the right-of-way where it was subsequently found.

Continuing, Sadler said he did not know how long Jack was away getting whisky. The Chief Detective interjected

that there was evidence to show that Jack leisurely entered the hotel with a friend and had a drink after nine o’clock, which would be just before he took deceased to the shop. Sadler, continuing, said he and

Jack had a conversation about the matter next day. Jack said: “I didn’t see her last night.” Sadler replied “That’s all right, I don't want to be mixed up in it.” Continuing he said they may have arranged also to tell the story abous fixing up books. He knew Jack had been keeping company with deceased about nine months. Jack never explained the circumstances in which deceased went to the shop on the night of her death. Jack did not talk of his private affairs. He denied ever having seen any woman in order to have abortion procured. He had been given every opportunity for making a true statement. lie admitted that his former statement was untrue. He denied ever having bought poison. Alfred C. Philpott, grain merchant, said he had a drink with Jack, Price, and another man at about 9.20 p.m. on 7th February. Price, recalled, corroborated this and said that Jack left them at about 9.30. Detective Snow related that he met Sadler and another man about 10 p.m. on February 7th, at High street. He chatted to Sadler about old times. They had been at school together. Jack then came from the direction of Cashel street and witness left them.