SHADOW OF A CRIME.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 9743, 7 March 1914, Page 6

SHADOW OF A CRIME.

FAMOUS CASK RECALLED. SYDNEY COURT INCIDENT. An incident which recalled a remarkable attempt to escape the long arm of the law on the pan of two men who "ere charged with murder took place at the Central Court in Svdnov last Week. (-race Palmer, a woman whose features bore the impress of much bitter experience, was before the Court on a charge of having insufficient means of support. She was convicted, but before sentence was imposed, the Magistrate (Mr Wilkinson. S.M.) asked the Public Prosecutor (Sergeant Mankoy) ii anything was known about the woman. Sergeant Mankoy: "She has been known to the police for the last 15 or 2(1 years, your Worship. She has been in what might be regarded as trouble all her life. The greater part of her life has-been spent in this State, and 'trouble' is the only word that can fittingly be applied to the unfortunate woman. "How she first landed in this country." proceeded Sergeant Mankey. "and what privations she and two male companions suffered in getting here was some time ago a story that attracted attention throughout Australia and New Zealand. About twenty years ago two men- Caff rev and Perm— were convicted of the murder of Taylor, a settler on Great Hairier island, near Auckland. They secured a boat, and, taking a woman with them, set out on one of the most sensational oversea journeys ever accomplished between two countries. After enduring the most shocking privations, they landed at the historic town of Port Macquario, after a voyage during which they several times facetl death. Immediately they landed, or shortly afterwards, the men were arrested by Superintendent Roche and Constable May. and charged with the crime, the punishment of which they had gambled so much to escape. They were afterwards executed. "The woman was not charged with any participation in the crime, but was held as the chief witness." .said Ser geant 'Mankey. "and on her evidence the conviction was secured. Thai woman stands before you. your Worship. and is Grace Palmer." Tiie accused: "Oh. you need not tell that story again!" Mr Wilkinson: "She seems to he one of those unfortunate creatures who are better in gaol than out of it." Sergeant Mankey: "I think so. your Worship.*' Palmer was sent to gaol for six months. "Thank you." she said, as she disappeared *_h rough the doorway, "1 hope you'll be a corpse when I come out again."