A SORDID STORY.

NZ Truth, Issue 488, 24 October 1914, Page 5

A SORDID STORY.

"LOVE" AND LIQUOR ON A SCOW. TOE WRETCH The Tragic Tale Told by Taylor — Coroner Cutten Holds an Inquest.

The finding of the body of Alice Ward, otherwise Lindrop, floating m the harbor at Auckland last week seemed to the casual newspaper reader simply one of those ordinary, water- . front • tragedies of pitiable character i that are always m evidence m a busy city. '. But the evidence given at the inquest on Friday and Saturday put a different complexion upon the fatality, and disclosed a shocking case (of indifference, if nothing worse, upon the part of an able-bodied seaman who had been consorting with the dead woman.'The inquest had been formally opened on' October' ,7 for /the purpose of identification. .'..'-'< At the re-opening on Friday, Dr. C. E. A. Coldicutt was the first witness called. He deposed to having examined the woman after her being taken from the water. She was about thirty years of age. On her right wrist he found ari abrasion which he .was of opinion had been made shortly prior to her death. There were also bruises on' her legs, but not 'of recent origin. No other marks , of violence were noticeable, except a slight puncture on the right arm, which he thought had occurred after death. ' The stomach -contained strong evidence of alcoholism, and /' ■ DEATH WAS DUE TO DROWNING. Chief Detective MacMahon: Do you consider it possible that the body fell clearly into the water without touching anything else? — 1 -.should say that it did so. - Continuing, the doctor stated that abrasions on the wrist covered an area of about the size of a crown piece. Their / direction was slightly downwards and inwaVds. There had been no drawing of blood, and the appearance given was that they might have been produced by some roughened smv face against the area of skin affected. . Chief Detective MacMahon: Could it have been produced by the grasp of a hand?— Yes, if the hand contained some other substance, but the grasp of a hand to make , such; a mark would have to have been very firmly applied. ■:■. THE TALE OF TAYLOR. Frank Taylor, an.: able seaman and laborer, then under arrest charged with' vagrancy, stated thathe' had been recently employed upon Limestone Island, Whangarei., He was paid off on September 23, and on , October 2 he came to Auckland ort. the ketch Albatross. The ketch anchored at the Nel- ; sbri-sireet wharf, and he came ashore with, a mate m a dinghy; He saw deceased, whom he" had known . for yfive or six months, , standing on the wharf, but did not speak to her. After attending to some business, he returned to the wharf. ; Deceased was then still on the wharf. ' Ari able, seaman named Christiansen went ashore and spoke to deceased. Witness passed them on his way to the hotel for a drink. Deceased said, "Don't forgot me; bring me a drink back.*? He replied, "All right* He brought back a small bottle of beer for deceased. When he gave it to her, Christiansen was still talking to her. Alter going aboard and "tidying himself up" he returned to the wharf, and Christiansen ' asked him if he would mind changing bunks with him, that night, so that he ; TAKE THE WOMAN ABOARD for the night Witness slept "on his own" In the cabin, but two other men slept m Christiansen's quarters. Witness agreed to the change and went >ip town, returning after the hotels had closed and sleeping m > Christiansen's bunk. Early next morning he saw Christiansen and the deceased going ashore together. On the day following, he found Christiansen and the deceased together m Ms bunk. It was a Sunday. They had a bottle| of whisky aud a few bottles of beer, and they all re - freshed themselves freely on the liquors. They <xU remained aboard until the evening, and then went to a restaurant for refreshment. Then theywont, to a house m Hobson-street; where Christiansen gave the woman 12s to pay a debt owing by her at the house. After that they went back to the Albatross and slept there that night. Deceased went ashore on Monday morning at six o'clock. Subsequently he went to the Waitemata Hotel and had several drinks. Deceased was then, on the wharf talking v to a' seaman v named Otto, who had given her flvo shillings. He saw Christiansen and told him that deceased was down on the scow Endeavor with another man, and Christiansen went off to look for, her. After the hotel closed, witness went down to see if the Albatross had sailed. She was still tied up. He saw deceased near the lime shed. She was sitting on -a pile of timber and had some beer—"slxponnorth m a bottle." He joined her, and they both had a drink out of the bottle. She asked him if he knew of any place where she could sleep, and he said, "We'll try this scow. It's no use going on the Albatross, for she's Just about to sail." They were starting to go aboard the scow, when the mate came out and stopped them. Witness then started off to see if the captain of tho Albatross was aboard, leaving deceased standing by the breastwork on the wharf. She evidently followed him, as he found she had changed her position when he returned. She attempted to follow him on board, but accidentally fell between tho boat and the wharf Into the water., Ho went to her assistance, and she; clutched wildly at. the belting of tho nhtp and both called for help. Ho had her by the right hand, but feeling that ho was being pulled into the water too, HE LET HER GO, and ran aboard tho vessel for Christiansen. Ho could not wako Christiansen, who was stupid wJth drink, so he returned to the dock and looked into tho water to ace It there was any sign at the deceased. He could not sec her. so ho went downstairs again and had some boor. Subsequently ho had another fruitless look round and then went and had more boor. After that ho wont to sleep. Ho accompanied Christiansen next morning to tho hotel, but said nothing to him °' what had happened. Witness then admitted having said to Mr. Parnell, caretaker of the linwutone Mores, that deceased had tried to pot aboard the Albatross "on her own," but had fallen ovbrboard, "and a drunken man couldn't glvo hor any help." He denied having Bald to Parnell that ho and Christiansen had gone for a drink, and that decoaaed must have fallen into the harborawhile thoy were away.. Parnoll advised him to see the police about tho matter, and bo promißCd to do so. but ho did not communicate with the authorities. Under further examination, witness stated that ho remembered speaking to Baker on the morning of October 6 Baker told him he had found a woman m the water, and described hor clothing and Bald who tho woman was. Ho said that it was a woman who, had been KNOCKING ABOUT THE ALBATROSS. Witness admitted saying that he know where tho woman was between seven and eight o'clock tho provioua^ night, and informed the police to that _ effect He. had said ho was P«»**ivo that c had not seen tbc woman after the hour

I mentioned. That was when she left the Endeavor m company wit;h Otto. On Wednesday last he was interviewed by Detective Gourley, and then, for the first time, admitted that he had seen the. woman : fall Into the water. It was only on -Tuesday that he had told the detective that he had endeavored to pull the woman out of the water by the wrist. Chief Detective MacMahon: Why! didn't you tell the police?— Because I've practically been m the delirium tremens for weeks. Where did you get the money for the rfrink?— l got five shillings from Christiansen the day before the lady was drowned, and I got some from the | captain. •■■■■■ "Be careful; you're on oath, and these things are' easily traced," commanded the chief detective. Continuing, witness said that he had got the money from the captain on the Sunday, and had no chance of spending It. till the Monday. • Chief Detective MacMahon: Why didn't you tell Mr. Parnell what had happened? — I was a bit ashamed of myself. I thought I'd made a fool of myself, and that it was too late to explain. I ought to have gone and told the police that night. Witness remembered having- a, conversation with Christiansen about the deceased on his- return from Wbangarei. Christiansen said, ■ "THIS ISA NICE MESS we have got into." The police, after the fatality, forbade him to go on board the Albatross. He told Christiansen of this, and explained to him. all that had occurred. He was, at the time, still "mad with drink." The woman fell over exactly on the quarter of the vessel. The ship was hard up to the wharf, except from the stern to the quarter. There was room for a body to fall where she fell. The woman hung on to the belting of the ship for fßur or five minutes, shouting for help and trying. to give him one hand after the other. ' . Chief Detective MacMahon : How do you account, then, for a shilling and three coppers being found m her hand? —The hand was not open. I distinctly saw that. I had hold of one hand, and the free hand was tightly clutched. What time was this?— Between half -past ten and eleven. There was a good, clear light hung on the boom, which let me see what was doing. The distance from the belting of the ship to the water was about three or four feet. From the deck of the ship It meant "a good lean over" to reach It. There was nothing on the wharf for him to support himself on. He could not get Christiansen; to wake up, as he waß too drunk to respond to a shaking. He did not go up the wharf for assistance because he was stupefied at the time. Why was it only yesterday that you mentioned to the police that you tried to pull her out of •■ the water by the wrist?— Because it was. THE FIRST DAT I HAD A CLEAR, HEAD \ for three or four 1 weeks. -You say you're not' very clear upon this matter? Are you sufficiently clear , to say that you didn't -push this -woman into the water? — Certainly. I'm quite sure of that. ' He had not suggested to the constable who subpoenaed him that the woman must have fallen over' the wharf while he and Christiansen were away for a drink. Did you consider the unfortunate woman's life of no value?— Yes; I did. And did you do everything you could to save her? — At the moment I did, but not after. And do you' consider it good policy to cloak it m mystery after life has gone?— l wanted to hide it up afterwards. Do you think that answer consistent with concealing the occurrence from Christiansen?— Yes. I'd, have told him as soon as I got the drink out of me. t didn't think all thid bother would •have happened if the matter had been explained later on. Continuing, witness said when he spoke to Detective Gourley on Sunday he was suffering from the effects of drink. Ho had hold of the woman's right hand when he tried to pull her out of the water. He could not say if the hand was gloved. George Parnell, head storeman at the Portland Cement Works, deposed' to having seen the body m the 1 water,? on the morning after the tragedy, land communicated with the police, who secured It. He detailed conversations with tho witness Taylor, who Btatcd that the woman must have fallen into the water while trying to board the Albatross. Ho stated that she. had been down the previous evening for money. » He told Taylor that the woman could not have fallen between the vessel and the breastwork, for it would have been impossible to do so without breaking hor neck or leaving some abrasions on her body. Taylor said that he "knew something," and as he was . "A TRUE BRITISHER" ho would "go to the police and tell tho truth." Taylor had been, drinking, but •he knew thoroughly well what he was saying. .On October 7, when witness again saw him. his condition had improved. He stated that he had made a statement to the police. Ethel Treue, wife of a laborer at Parnell, stated that sho had known the deceased for about twelvo months. Sho saw her on October 6, between 8 and 9 p.m., m company with tho man Otto, at tho Empire Hotel. She spoke to deceased, who said that she was waiting for a man named Christiansen, who had promised her some money. Sho had to meet him on the Nelson - Btreet wharf at 10 o'clock. She was perfectly sober, though, "of courso, »ho was a woman who could take a good deal of liquor and it wouldn't i show." Sho had nsked Taylor what ho ! thought about the mystery of how tho j deceased got Into the water, and hl« I answer was: "I'll never go on a boat i again where there Ih a woman: I've ulsters of my own, and I'd never let them on a boat." She know that deceased was ADDICTED TO FITS. { In Taylor's presence »ho remarked Chrlstlannen: "I wonder If uhc had one , of her IHh and fell over tho side." j Taylor Interjected that .this wa« pro- | bably what had happenod. Taylor allowed no signs of drink. Edward Wright, male on the scow I Winnie, »ald he wiih on deck on the i nlßht (n question. It was v still, clear i night, and had there been ! CALLS KQR "HELP" f from tho direction of the Albatross ho woulu have heard thorn, lip had Hloppctl deceased and Taylor from coming on board the «co\v. He had «een Tny- | lor and tho woman Wnnl on the wharf at)d wo« specially alert that night. THE STORY ON SATURDAY. Anders Elnar Chrl«talnnen had known the deceased for two yearn. He camo from Whangnrel on the «cow Albatross on October 2. When the scow berthed ho aaw tho woman Ward on the wharf. He subsequently, went up tho street 'with' -her. About an hour later they returned, and he and the deceased went aboard tho Albatrosa and alcpt together for the night. He took

her. ashore the next morning, about 6.30, and left her somewhere m Hob-son-street. She returned to the wharf later m tlie day, and the three of them went and had a drink at Gleeson's Hofel. He accompanied" deceased to the boarding house where her two children were living. He paid the landlady los for the board of the two children, and then went down with deceased for a meal at a restaurant. Subsequently they went to the Prince Arthur Hotel for a drink- They then repaired again to the Albatross. Witness went ashore and brought back six I small bottles of beer and two shillings' | worth of whisky. He and deceased slept together again that night. Deceased remained on the boat all day on Sunday, Taylor; also 'being on, board. The woman was perfectly sober on the Sunday, but she was naturally unwell. In the evening they went up to a boardinghouse, where he paid . 12s, which was owing by deceased, anO she collected her clothes and took them down to the Albatross. Taylor was. with them, but remained outside while \ things were being fixed up. Deceased! again slept with him m witness's bunk. On Monday morning deceased and Taylor went ashore about 6.30. He m- I structed deceased to be sure and "come for her parcel," as the boat would be leaving that night. He NEVER SAW HER AGAIN. He went round the town that night and got very drunk and remembered nothing. He believed, from what he was told, that "he got back to the boat between half-past nine and ten- He did not remember seeing anybody on the wharf. He went straight to his bunk and went to sleep. He had no recollection of anybody trying to wake him. He was not so bad that he would not have been awakened, and would 1 have remembered had anybody tried to waken him. He saw Taylor m the morning on board the scow, and they ■' went up to Gleeson's Hotel, and had j some drink. The scow left for Whangarei on October 6, between 8 , aim. and 9 a.m., and when returning on Oc- J tober 8 the captain showed him a pa-

per with an account of the deceased being drowned. Taking into consideration the position of the Albatrosa and the length of the breastwork railing, he did not think deceased could have fallen Into the water without hitting I the boat. There was just a possible chance that she might do so, but it was a very remote one. Sho would probably strike the rail, and fall Into the water. The rail at that time of the tide was about 2ft 6in from the. level of the wharf, and if deceased struck It before falling Into tho water sho would hardly be In a condition to clutch or grapple at anything- His bunk was only three or four feet from where Taylor said the woman fell. He thought he would havo hoard Taylor calling for "help" and the woman screaming had this happened, but he heard nothing unusual. When he went out with Taylor for a drink on tho morning of October 6 Taylor said nothing about what had occurred. Taylor had had plenty of opportunities, but had never confided to him what had happened. !■ Chief Detective MacMahon: Has I Taylor ever fallen over the Nelson- | street wharf ?— Not to my knowledge. Has he fallen over any wharf?— Yes, over the Hobs6n-.stret*t wharf extension, between the wharf and the Albatross. How did he manage to fall between tho wharf and the boat? — It was different and there was plenty of room to fall clear. Continuing. witnoßs stated that hla condition on the night was similar to that he was In on October 5. HE HEARD TAYLOR CALLING nnd went to Ijlh assistance and got him out of the water. He had known Tnylor for twelve or eighteen months, and ho wiih a quiet man In liquor. He had ' never known him to be violent, and had ulwayn been friendly with him. Ho know of no rouKon why Taylor should not have tolu htm of what had happened. Oluf Ellertaon, Keumnn on the Albairon*, stated that they all visited i Gleoaon'H Hotel the next morning. On returning from Whangarel, later m iho ! week. Taylor u«UI him that he ! HAD BEEN ORDERED HY Till-; POLICE not\to go aboard the veiwel. hut he MUbscquently did board the vosael and told witness that If the police asked him anything he had bettor tell tho truthPidn't he tell you that If the police camo along you should tell them about tho convernation he and Christiansen l had had together?— Yes.

Alexander Baker, a laborer, deposed to having recovered the woman's body from the water at 9.30 a_m. on October !6. He subsequently saw Taylor and informed him of the matter. Taylor said. "I BELIEVE IT IS ALICE. I know where she was between seven and eight last night." Taylor added that he would go and inform the police. Next day, -when he saw Taylor, he admitted that he had not been to the police. Witness did not think it was possible, m view' of the position of the Albatross, for anybody trying to board her by the rigging to fall into the water between the wharf and the vessel. They must have fallen aboard. Taylor did not at any time make any statement about what had occurredAt this stage the inquest, after lasting two days, was further adjourned until Monday at 10 a.m. MONDAY'S PROCEEDINGS. i Otto Fossum, an able seaman on the auxiliary ketch Wave, deposed that he had known the deceased for 12 months. He saw her sitting on the Nelsonstreet wharf on October 4. She asked him for a loan of 10s, as she was hard up. He gave her 6s and promised to give her the other 5s next night. He saw her again about 5 o'clock the next afternoon at the wharf. They liad tea together and then she went off to the Albatross, and she was talking there to a seaman named Erick for about an hour. Subsequently he and deceased and a man named Ferguson went tp the Waitemata Hotel for a drink. Deceased drank brandy and port wine. They then went to the Empire Hotel, where they had two drinks each. Deceased was still drinking brandy and j port wine- . Deceased also took two | bottles of beer away with her "for j some friends." They left her then, and he had riot seen her since. ' Formal police evidence was given as to the recovery and identification of the body of the deceased woman. The sleeve of the long woollen jacket that the deceased was wearing was pulled

down about a foot over the right wrist, and the left hand was clenched and lying across the woman's breast. The right hand was beni forward -and was half open. There was a black cotton glovo on. the left hand and this contained a sum of one shitting and three pennies. The money was outside the glove, CLASPED BY THE FINGERS. The only mark on the woman was on old bruise over the right eye. The body was fully clothed, oven to the hat, which was secured by hat- pins. On the right wrist was un old silver watch-chain, In the form of a bracelet, Which went twice round the wrist. Detective Oourley gave evidence as , to the hablta and character of the deceased. Ho had interviewed Taylor upon the question of the woman's death, and Taylor had signed a statement as to his connection with the tragedy. Taylor became very hysterical and was m a state of collapse- Ho told Taylor that he was satisfied that he had not told the truth, but Taylor replied that ho was positive that he had not seen the deceased after seven o'clock on tho night of October 5. He asked Taylor why he was ko excited, and his answer was that he hnd been drinking heavily. He added. "I'm quite sober now, and all I want Is to tell tho truth." He Interviewed Taylor ugaln on October 14, and again told him that he was certain he hud not told the truth, but Taylor said that he would stick to what he had said. Witness said that he was determined to get at the trtuh, but Taylor persisted In his allegation that he had not room .the deceased after 7 o clock on the night of tho tragedy. He detained Taylor, who was lined up on the wharf with five others and was promptly Wcnllflct! by tho witness Wright, as the man whom he had seen In comimny with the deceased on the Nc "•n-sjrect wharf at 10.30 p.m. on tho night of tho fatality. Taylor subsequently admitted that he had been with cd. and made a sOitement on the _ linos of hi» deposition at the » n « ucß V " hl £ l ho signed. On October 15, when ho visited the prisoner's room. Taj \vr culled witness aside and said that ma MEMORY WAS CIETTJNG A BIT CLEAR KB and ho remembered trying to get the deceased out of the water by pulling her by the wrist. After some consideration Coroner Cutten stated that ho would go carefully through iho depositions und give his verdict the following morning, the 1 wltnoasj Taylor being mill hold lo cua-

tody on a formal charge of vagrancy, CORONER CUTTEN'S CONCLUSION. After taking an extra day to consider hlB verdict. Coroner Cutten delivered it In the Magistrate's Court at the UHual sitting on Tuesday. After the viewing tho ovldence at Borne longth, ho stated that he did not think there was any eaao upon which to send Taylor for trial for the crime. It seemed evldont that tho tni\n had been m association with the woman on tho night of tho fatality, and had intended to tako her on board the Albatrosß for immoral purposoa. but both ho and aho were evidently under the influence of liquor, and TAYLOH COULD NOT BE HELD RESPONSIBLE for his subsequent actions. He could not sec that there was a case against him of crime, and it would bo futile to send him forward to a higher court Ho found formally that the deceased hail met her death by drowning In the Auckland Harbor. THE CHARGE OF VAGRANCY. Subsequently l >% rank Taylor wna charged, on remand, with being nn idle and disorderly person, without visible moan* of support, Accuned pleaded guilty, und, without any evidence being called. Magistrate Cutton, after »omo long consideration, elated: "Well, I think you've suffered sufficiently to pull you up for aomo timo. You will be convicted and dv»» charged, and you'd better got away to work at once."