MURDER CHARGE

Hokitika Guardian, 6 September 1939, Page 6

MURDER CHARGE

FURTHER EVIDENCE.

(Per Press Association—Copyright),

CHRISTCHURCH,. Sept. 6.Nine of the forty-three police witnesses had given evidence when the hearing' of the charge of. murder against Arthur John Patience was continued in the Christchurch Magistrate’s Court today. The public gallery was again well filled with spectators. E. ‘Percival Professor of Biology at Canterbury Col lege ; described the habits of sea louse, commonly found 011 the coasts of New Zealand. He said that as they moved in very large numbers they were, capable of dealing with a large amount of material. Mr Percival said he saw no reason why they should not deal with a human body and strip it to the skeleton.

F. T. J. Grigg. Government analyst at Christchurch, said lie liald examined tiho contents of the stomach of the woman found at Taratuhi Beach aud he found no trace of poison. Elizabeth Ameria McKay, married woman, residing at Taratuhi camp, said that she first met Patience about twelve years ago. Up till the time that Mrs Patience disappeared, Patience and his wife had visited them quite frequently • Witness, and her husband went to Claverly in August, 1936. Patience arrived some time after, and was joined by his wife.‘ Later Mrs Patience had been in camp for more than a year, when she disappeared. “I saw Airs Patience, every day, sometimes twice a day;” added witness,' who said her (Mrs' McKays) hut was on : the beach side of' the camp. Mrs McKay said she was very friendly with Mrs Patience. “I think I was the only one she would discuss her private affairs with.”