ARGYLL MURDER CHARGE.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 24 May 1935, Page 5

ARGYLL MURDER CHARGE.

TAXI DRIVER’S EVIDENCE. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) Hastings, Last Night. The completion ,»f the cross-examina-tion of Detective-Sergeant J. Bickerdike, who is at present in the box, and the hearing of evidence by Detective H. F. Coddington will bring to a conclusion the Crown case in the charge of murder against Charles William Price. Good progress was made with the evidence at to-day’s sitting, but at present it is not possible to forecast when the ease is likely to be finished. Norman John Guild was in the box when the murder charge against Edward Price (alias Edwards) continued to-day. Under cross-examination witness said both accused and deceased sat in the back seat the whole time they were in witness’s taxi on tiie trip to Taheke. There were no houses visible from where he stopped at the plough camp. It was not then that mention was made of car sickness. Accused told witness that Miss Madden had been left at Hollis’s place. Witness said that Price told him the girl had given him £3'o, not “The girl is to get £30.” lie would not swear that he had seen more than one ”fiver” in accused’s possession. Detective B. Farquharson, stationed at Hastings, corroborated the evidence of Dr, Cashmore as to the condition of the clothing on the body when found a short distance aw-ay. The detective found an upper denture lying in the grass and a little way further a brown clastic garter. He found no signs of any struggle. Between February G and February 15 there had been rain and the fresh growth of grass prevented his seeing any marks on the ground. Questioned by his Honour, witness said he knew of no place near the pool where a person could fall on to an outcrop of rock. There was one piece of limestone rock roughly six yards from the p^ol. Re-examined by Mr. Lusk witness said an examination had been made even under a microscope of the rocks near the,pool and there were no signs of blood or human hair. In answer to Mr. Averill, .however, witness said between February 6 and the date of the examination, March 8, rain had fallen. There was rain the night before the body was found. Detective-Sergeant James Bickerdike gave similar evidence. Ho produced a statement made to liim by accused. Witness told of the discovery in accused’s kitbag of a bunch of keys, two of which fitted Miss Madden’s suit cases. The Court adjourned till to-morrow. CASE WEARING END. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) NAPIER, This Day. The murder charge against Charles William Price was continued to-day. James North Lowry, recalled, said the accused was a particularly kind man to animals, especially horses. Herbert Coddington, detective, was the last witness called by the Grown. He detailed the events which led to the arrest of the accused on ih t . night of February Kith. The ease should end to-night or tomorrow morning. ACCUSED GOES INTO WITNESS BOX. NAPIER, This Day. At the conclusion of the Crown’s case it was announced that the accused would go into the witness box in IPs own defence. Counsel said there had beet, many rumours, but the man’s guilt could, not be assumed. It had to be proved. The defence knew nothing as to how Miss Madden met her death. Last time she was seen by the accused she was alive and reasonably web. The only difference between the case for tho Crown and defence -was what had happened during an hour and U 0 minutes after the coupte left the car at Tahoko s' at ion. Miss Madden was anxious to know if tlq> Hollis family was related to the Hollis family' she know in the Old Country. In crossing the hills Miss Madden became ill and both sat down. Later, Miss Madden wanted to go to Hoilis’ home to look for a .situation, but the accused demurred and she went on alone. Accused agreeing to wait 30 minutes. The accused went to sleep and on awakening lie returned to the taxi. He would deny telling Guild that h e had been given £3O by Miss Madden. He had repented for being too quick and next day went to Hastings to see H .she had returned. He had visited the creek when stopped by the policeman to get fre«h water to mix with gin. Accused then went into the box and commenced to give evidence as outlined by his counsel.