OFFENCES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 9027, 4 November 1892, Page 10

OFFENCES.

MYSTERIOUS DEATH— ARREST OP

ALEXANDER SCOTT.

A man named Thompson, residing in a house at Waikomiti, situated near Mr. Purr's nursery, and distant some 4J miles from the railway station, died somewhat suddenly and under rather peculiar circumstances Waikomiti on Sunday, Oct. 30. Deceased had been In indifferent health for some time past, and about two or three weeks ago had called in Dr. Roberton, who prescribed somo medicine for him, and learnt that he had been in the habit of prescribing for himself. On Sunday evening a man named Scott, who was sleeping in the next room to deceased, hearing a noise, got up and went into tho room where Thompson was, and found him in a critical condition. Scott went to fetch a doctor, telling a neighbour to go and stay with Thompson. The neighbour wont to call a friend, and by the time they reached the house Thompson was dead and his body quite cold. Meanwhile Dr. Roberton had been called up at two o'clock in the morning, and arrived after the man was dead. Dr. Roberton found a small phial containing some crystalised powder by deceased's bedside, and after examining the body communicated with the police and recommended that an inquest should be held. Deceased was a married man, and his wife is residing in Parnell. Deceased was formerly practising as a barrister in England, and had come out to New Zealand in order to engage in fruitgrowing. An inquest was held at deceased's residence before Mr. J. Bollard, the district coroner, on Tuesday afternoon, November 1. The jury was composed of Messrs. Thomas Evans (foreman), » v & oer Gill, John Bendell, H. E. Sharp, John Elihu Sharp, and W. H. Soppett. Inspector Broham represented the police authorities, Detectives ChrystalandGraceand MountedConstable Kelly being also present. Mr.' Baume, instructed by Mr Coleman, appeared on behalf of the friends of tho deceased. The evidence of only two witnesses was heard, namely Alexander Scott and John Wilson, the former being arrested immediately after his examination was concluded, upon a charge of having murdered the deceased William Thompson. In cross-examination Inspector Broham elicited from the witness Scott that he had been in the habit of purchasing various poisons under an assumed name, giving different reasons for doing so, that he wanted to kill troublesome cats, cure a horse's back, etc. John Wilson, uncle of Scott, stated that he was considerably alarmed when he heard that his nephew had been purchasing poisons, as he thought it was unsafe to trust the latter with them. Scott he considered was of weak mind, and subject to manias and fads. He advised that a doctor should be obtained for doceased. Scott would say he was going for a doctor, and then Thompson would get well again. The further hearing of the case has been adjourned to November S. Dr. Roberton has made a postmortem examination of the body, and tho contents of the stomach have been submitted to Mr. J. A. Pond for analysis.

A case of more than ordinary interest was heard at the Police Court on Saturday, Oct. 22, when Phillip Tennyson Cole, who has been figuring somewhat prominently of late in art circles in both Australia and New Zealand, was charged with intending to desert his wife, Alice Mary Cole, and to leave her without adequate means of support. Mr. J. A. Tole appeared on behalf of the complainant, and Mr. W. J. Napier for the defendant. Mr. Tole, in his opening address, stated that he knew of no case that presented such features of refined cruelty as the present one. Defendant had actually the audacity to bring into the very place where his lawful wife had taken refuge a woman who styled herself as Mrs. Tennyson Cole, and was connected with Signor Foli's Concert Company. The evidence of Mary Alice Cole, the complainant, showed that she had been deserted in London three years ago, and thab since that time she had been a wanderer on the face of the globe, ultimately reaching this city, where, as she said in her own words, " I have known what it is to be without food." After complainant had given her evidence, that of Mr. Grattan Riggs, one of tho witnesses for the defence was taken, as ho desired to leave the city, and the case was adjourned until Monday morning, when the whole day was taken with the evidence pro and con. Dr. Giles made an order of £1 per week, and the defendant to enter into his own recognisance of £50, and a surety of £25, or in default one month's imprisonment.

On Oct. 28 Constable Foreman arrested a man named Richard John Pearce, who keeps a day and night school for boys in Prospect Terrace, Ponsonby, on a charge of indecently assaulting two young girls, Amy Amelia Spiers, aged 11, daughter of Mr. Spiers, fishmonger, Jervois Road, and May Lilian Edwards, agfed 8, daughter of Mrs. Edwards, fruiterer, also of Jervois Road. It appears that the two girls went down late on the 28th October to the residence of accused. From information which reached Mr. Spiers he was led to go to the residence of the accused, and met his daughter coming away. From certain statements which she made to him he went to see Constable Foreman, and acquainted him with her statement. The constable went to Pearce's house, and informed him of what had been stated. He brought him to the Ponsonby police station, where the girls identified Pearce as the man who they alleged had committed certain acts towards them. The girls were medically examined by Dr. Moir, of Ponsonby. Pearce was arrested and brought to the Auckland police station in the evening, a charge of indecent assault being preferred against him. Pearce has been a resident of Ponsonby for some time, and has kept a private school. He is stated to be in comfortable circumstances, though living alone, and has hitherto borne a good reputation. At.the New Plymouth Supreme Court, Stephen JefFery, labourer, was sentenced to five years for rape. A rail weighing SJcwfc was deliberately placed across the railway line close to the approach to the Waipawa Railway Bridge, Hawke's Bay, on October 24. The train cut it in two, but returned to Waipawa, when it was found that the engine had received no material injury. A PakehaMaori named Clarke, living with the natives at the Waipawa pa, has been arrested, and charged with placing the steel rail across the railway near Waipawa bridge. He denied the charge, but was committed for trial.