THE PIHA CASE

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIX, Issue 102, 30 March 1939, Page 9

THE PIHA CASE

A FURTHER REMAND. TWO MEN IN COURT. IDENTITY QUESTION. Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, March 30. Gordon Robert McKay and James Arthur Talbot appeared together at the Police Court for the first time, to-dav, on remand. They arrived in the police van with other prisoners. The Court was packed to capacity, with an increased number of women. McKay was shown on the charge sheet to have the a 1 i.a-s “Tom Bowlands,” and was described as a wool and skin dealer, of Australia, aged 43. McKay and Talbot were jointly charged with wiltully setting fire to a dwelling at Piha and, further, with interfering with human remains. After hearing the police and counsel, Mr C. R. Orr-Walker, S.M., granted the police application for a remand to April 6. Detective-Sergeant Walsh, asking for a remand until April 6, said he hoped that on that date some indication would l>e given os to when the police would be able to proceed. Mr Terry (appearing for Talbot) said there was no objection to that, but he again drew attention to the proximity ot the Supreme Court session, and trusted the police would allow sufficient time to prepare the defence. “The police have taken nearly ten weeks to prepare their case,” he said. “The date suggested for the hearing is only ten days before the session opens.” Mr Walsh said that, if necessary, the trial could probably take place at a later session. Mr Orr-Walker. referring to McKay, said: Last week he claimed lie was not McKay—. Mr Sanderson (appearing for McKay) : Last week he was quite abnormal, both mentally and physically. Although he still thinks he is Tom Rowlands I am not raising any point as to his identity. Mr Orr-Walker: If any question of identity were involved the Court would assist bv giving a hearing on that identity. As accused left the dock McKay scanned the crowd at the back of the Court.