TUFT OF HAIR.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIV, Issue 149, 25 May 1934, Page 8

TUFT OF HAIR.

COAIPARED AVITH AIRS BAYLY’S,

AUCKLAND, Alay 24. “AVhat about this tuft of hair?” asked Air Aleredith as the witness John William Slater was shown an exhibit. “It is very similar in colour to Lakey’s hair,” replied witness. Witness remembered that about two months before the tragedy he had seen Bayly and Stent ride up on horseback to Lakey’s homestead. Bayly had said that he wanted to make a road and wanted to cut the wires of Lakey’s boundary fence. Airs Lakey had come out of the house and the four of them—Lakey and Airs Lakey and Bayly and Stent—were together. All’ Aleredith: AA’hat did Airs Lakey say?—She muttered something to herself. His Honour: There may be something to object to here, Air Leary. Mr Leary: I am keeping a careful note of what is being said and so far there is nothing I can object to. His Honour: You know, of course, what is coming, Air Leary? Air Leary: Yes, sir. His Honour: Unless there is an objection, I do not propose to exclude anything. AIRS BAYLY’S HAIR.

Later,' during cross-exmiiination, Mr Leary asked witness: Refering to the colour of Lakey’s hair, which you describe as auburn, would a fair description of the colour be a very dark chestnut?—Yes, it w r ould. An incident' which caused a mild stir in Court then occurred, when Mr Leary .walked over to Mrs William Bayly, who was in her chair in front of the Press table, and asked her to remove her browui hat. He then led Mrs Bayly across the floor of the courtroom in front of the jury, and stopped in front of the witness box. “Now. look at this,” said Mr Leary, as he held the tuft of hair up and compared it. against the hair of Mrs Bayly. Mr Leary : Now, is not the hair of this exhibit just like. Mrs Bayly’s hair? —No, her hair is darker. This hair (meaning the Crown exhibit) is going grey. Mrs Bayly’s hair is not. Mrs Bayly then put on her hat, and instead of resuming her seat alongside the counsel for the defence, sat alongside Mr Lusk in front of the dock.

Mr Leary (holding up the hair exhibit) : This is a very common type of hair?—lt may be. It all depends on what it has been through. Mr Leary: Exactly. It all depends on what it has been through. I would Jjke that answer taken down. If the hair has been through any process, it may be that the original colour may have been lighter?—lf you scald a pig, it does not change the colour of the hair very much. It might be a little lighter. Are yon an expert on hair, Mr Slater?—No, but I’ve killed pigs and scalded them.

“Silence,” cried the orderly when the crowd at the back started to laugh.