MUSIC TEACHER TO FACE THE MUSIC

NZ Truth, Issue 1156, 26 January 1928, Page 9

MUSIC TEACHER TO FACE THE MUSIC

"I Was Given Cigarette and Glass of Wine," Declares Fifteen -Year-Old Schoolboy In Evidence. ' "The Wine Made Me Dizzy" .

ROUGE AND POWDER-PUFFS FOUND BY POLICE

T AWYER FINLAY appeared for Li Wynyard and Chief Detective Hammond conducted the case for the police. Of medium build, hair jet-black and carefully waved, immaculately attired m a light, fashionaly cut lounge suit, Wynyard stood calmly m the dock throughout the hearing of the evidence, which was of a most revolting nature, given by the two boys concerned. The first witness, an Auckland Grammar School boy, not quite fifteen years of age, stated that he first met Wynyard late m December. There was a conversation for about half an hour and Wynyard had asked witness if he was able to drive a car. The boy said he could not drive and Wynyard then asked him if he would like to learn. The boy was asked to meet Wynyard the next morning, when they would go for a drive m his car and witness would have a chance of learning to drive. They met m Symonds Street about 10 o'clock the next morning and went for a drive round the city m Wynyard's car — a three-seater Morris-Cowley. TOOK THE WHEEL The following day another trip was arranged and they journeyed to Hillsboro'. .That was on Thursday, December 29. Asked by the chief detective whether he had been given a lesson m driving, witness replied: "No, I just took the wheel." Returning from the drive, the boy accompanied Wynyard to his apartments m the Castlebar Private Hotel, Kyber Pass. Describing the room, witness said it was part of the second building, there being: two portions to the establishment. There was a double-bed m. the room, besides other furnishings. Wynyard showed witness some cigarette -cards and then gave him a half-glass of wine,' which he took from a bottle m the wardrobe. "The wine made me a bit dizzy," declared the boy and. immediately afterwards the alleged assault took place/ Wynyard then drove him home. A week later witness again met the accused, who asked him to bring along another boy of whom Wynyard had heard. Subsequently, .at a later date, the two boys accompanied Wynyard on a motor-trip and the same evening- they enjoyed a second drive — this time to the top of Mt. Eden. Wynyard was anxious that one of the boys should meet him again m the morning, but witness declin. Ed the invitation.

(From "N.Z. Truth's" Special Auckland Representative.) After having given a signed statement to the police, m which he is said to have made a detailed admission of certain grave allegations against him m connection with two charges of assault, Arthur Ropata Colson Wynyard, aged 30, pleaded not guilty when the case was brought before Magistrate Hunt at the Auckland Magistrate's Court last week.

The experiences of the second boy, while alone with accused m the private hotel, were, m the main, similar to those of his companion. "He was telling 1 us about some fancydress pictures that he 'had," stated the second witness, m narrating what had occurred on the first clay he met Wynyard. "He said they were very wicked and

that if you held them up to the light you would see some wicked things — but they were not good for boys."

It was finally arranged one evening that witness should meet Wynyard the following- morning and go for a motordrive.

The appointment was kept and after the drive the boy was taken back to Wynyard's apartment.

"I was taken to the brown house," continued the boy, describing the section of the building m which accused had his room. "I was given a cigarette and a* glass of wine," added witness. "After the wine I did not feel too good." The alleged offence was then committed by Wynyard, who told witness not to make a noise when the boy showed some resentment. The following Sunday witness passed by the Castlebar Private Hotel m company with another boy. He saw Wynyard, who said: "What about you asking your friend to come for a drive with me to-night?" The boy advised his friend not to go. Cross-examined by Lawyer Pinlay, witness replied that he was "not altogether drunk" after taking the. glass of wine. He could walk, talk and, he supposed, run if he had tried. He was not, however, "too good on the thinking." "How did Wynyard first get to know of you?" asked counsel. "I have a good idea he heard about me from Mr. Hutton" (the first boy's music teacher), was the reply. WYNYARD'S ARREST Detective M. O'Sullivan, who arrested accused on January 14, produced a number of toilet articles, which, it was claimed, were seldom found anywhere but on a woman's dressing-table. The three powder-puffs, box of rouge, hair-removing mixture and appliances, etc., exhibited by the police officer, were, it was stated, found on the duchesse m Wynj r ard's bedroom. In evidence, the detective said he had read the warrant to the accused, who answered: "Yes, but there are circumstances surrounding it." When the name o£ one of the boys was mentioned, accused further remarked; "Oh, yes, I know." At the detective office, Wynyard was alleged to have made and signed a confession to both charges. "I was born at Devonport and my parents are dead," ran the statement. "For the last seven years I . have been at Hamilton, following- the occupation of a music-teacher, with a studio m Victoria Street. "I came to Auckland a fortnight ago and met " (mentioning one of the boys) "at Hutton's studio. I knew his mother." The remainder of the declaration was an alleged admission of the charges. Wynyard was committed to the Supreme Court for trial, bail being- allowed.