REMARKABLE STORY

Northern Advocate, 20 December 1932, Page 8

REMARKABLE STORY

HEINOUS PRACTICE ALLEGED.

ATTEMPT TO OBTAIN FORMULA,

TWO MEN ARRAIGNED.

(Special to “Northern Advocate.”)

AUCKLAND, Monday

A remarkable story of an alleged attempt by two men to procure a formula from a chemist was outlined by Detective Sergeant Kelly in the Police Court this morning, when Raymond Francis Grigg, an electrician, aged 37, and David McArthur Todd, a labourer, aged 46, appeared before Mr W. R. McKean, S.M. Both men were deemed to be rogues and vagabonds in that, being suspected persons, they did frequent Parkfield Terrace and Carlton Gore Road with felonious intent.

Mr W. W. Meek appeared for Todd, and, instructed by Mr R. A, Singer, for Grigg. Detective Sergeant Kelly said evidence would be brought to show that Grigg was a. well-known alleged abortionist with rooms in Queen Street. would be given by Frederick Edwards, a chemist, whose business was in Mount Eden Road, and who lived at 9, Parkfield Terrace. The chemist "would say that among formulae which he held was one used for female complaints. Suspicion Aroused.

“Edwards will say that Grigg, became acquainted with this particular formula/' eaid Mr Kelly. “By allegedly falsely representing himself as a married man, and describing a fictitious complaint his alleged wife was suffering.from, it will be shown that Grigg obtained some of the lotion. Eventually Edwards suspected that Grigg wanted the liquid for purposes other than he stated, and the chemist refused to supply him with any more. Evidence will be given that Grigg then got in touch with Todd and another man, and put up to them a scheme that Todd would represent himself as a detective, that he approach Edwards at his home, and produce a court document alleging to prosecute Edwards for supplying a lotion to procure abortion.

“By fear of prosecution Edwards was to bo induced to give a formula for the preparation of this stuff to Todd, who would then state that he .was a married man and that ■ no further action would be taken/' continued Mr Kelly. ‘ ‘ Todd was to be paid by Grigg for tins work, and the other man wa-s simply to accompany Todd to represent that he was a second police official, as detectives worked in couples. With this object in view, the accused men and the other man went to Parkfield Terracy; on December 2. Todd was supplied with a

court document, a blank paper and pencil for Edwards to write the formula on after being frightened by threats of prosecution. Qn this occasion they accidentally passed Edwards in the street. ” Arrest and Search. On the night of December 9, the two accused and the other man again went to the same locality, said Mr Kelly. After loitering around the vicinity of the house for a time, Todd on two occasions went to the house. He apparently became afraid to - carry out his mission, for he inquired if a man named Webb lived in the house. xVfter, they left the house and returned to the accused Grigg, who was waiting in his car in Carlton Gore Road, where the two men Avero arrested.

“In Todd’s possession was the summons, which will be produced, charging Edwards with supplying a lotion for procuring abortion,” concluded Mr Kelly. ‘‘ He also had a number of indecent photographs .and a bottle of lotion. After his arrest, Grigg’s rooms were searched and in them was found a typewriter. An expert will say that the court document was typed on that machine. Two blank summonses were also found and medicines for female complaints.”

The "other man” mentioned in association with Grigg and Todd had his name suppressed on the application of the police.

Frederick Edwards, chemist, said be was in business in Mt, Eden Hoad, and lived at <), Park field Terrace, Grafton. Witness said he knew Grigg, and supplied the lotion mentioned to the accused, who said it was for his wife. AVituess eventually declined to supply more of the preparation. On the evening of December 2 witness had scon Grigg, who was with two other men in Far Wield Terrace, Witness had been shown by Detective Knight the document charging him with supplying the lotion for a certain purpose. It rvas not correct that witness had done so. Startling Assertions. A man, whoso name "was suppressed on liis own application, said Grigg had told him frequently that lie had performed illegal operations. In November, Grigg approached witness, who was unemployed, and asked him if he wanted to earn £5. Grigg desired, witness said, that Edwards should be approached and the formula requested from him. Subsequently Grigg mot Todd and witness in the Domain and suggested that Todd and witness should pose as detectives lo • demand the formula. Grigg supplied Todd with a Court document. Witness described the circumstances of the visits to the locality of Park field Terrace and Carlton Gore Hoad.

Evidence was called by the police stating that the Court document exhibited to the magistrate was typed on a machine found in Grigg’s room. Detectives Allsopp, Hamilton, Mills and Bel toil described watches maintained in the vicinity of Parldield Terrace and Carlton Gore Hoad on the evenings of December 2 and 9, and the movements of the two accused and the third man. The Court document produced was found on Todd, Detective Allsopp stated. Todd said subsequently that he picked up the document in Queen Street. In evidence, Detective Knight said Grigg was reputed to have and suspected of having performed illegal operations. Witness said he was in the vicinity during the observation of the two accused on December 9, the watch being made as a result of inquiries and information received by the police. Committed for Trial. Pleas of not guilty wore entered by Mr Meek on behalf of Todd, and also, acting on instructions from Mr Singer, on behalf of Grigg, the accused being committed to the Supreme Court for trial.

In the case of Grigg, an application for the renewal of bail at £l5O was granted, the accused being required to report daily to the police.