THE PALACE SKATING RINK.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 8587, 31 August 1889, Page 3

THE PALACE SKATING RINK.

There waß a very large attendance nt the Falacß riuk last evening, when Mr D.-Atdrlch, the new proprietor, inauguratedlhis system of including vocal and Instrumental selections as pait.of tha entertainment. A very fine grand piano was placed on a raised platform, where Mr Cunningham presided and gave great satisfaction. Mr Aldrleh stepped on the platform at 9 o'clock, and in a faw well chosen words explained how he intended to conduct tho rink. He had noticed the absence of a placo of amusement whera the public could enjoy themselves, and listen to good music and variety Bongs, and he intended to try and supply that want by giving those who JattendeU a good floor to skate on, good music, and songs which would please without offending anyone. He hoped by caroful attention and a little public encouragement to Bupply tha want he referred to. After the applause had subsided Mr James M'Donald in full Highland costume struok.up on tho bagpipes, and the grand march followed. Considering that many were novices the march want off very well. An unrehearsed collision between a nnmber of footballers present created n good deal of amusement. Mr T. Chapman then played in excellent style a cornet solo (" Facilita," by John Hartman), Mr Cunningham accompanying, and was heartily applauded. Mr J. B. Kirk gave a mirth-provoking rendering of "The ghost of Benjamin Binns," and had to respond to an encore. Skating was again indulged in, the band playing a number of favourite waltzes, and tho audience dispersed greatly pleased with the evening's entertainment. A fancy dress ball and carnival is to take place on the "20th September, irany prominent citizens having given their patronage.

bring down the latter's' shot pouch and Bheathknife from Chemis'. He went for the articles, and received the knife and sheath, bat Chemis said that he had not got the shot pouch, Ibat would be just before the opening of the shooting season.'rHe would not swear whether Mr or Mrs Chemis gave him the knife. Mr Jellicoe said he proposed to chow that the knife found on Sunday could hot have produced the cuts made in the clothes of Hawkins. Mr Bell objected to any evidence of that nature unless there was evidence that tha knife had been traced into the possession of Chemis. The bench upheld the objection. After farther unimportant evidence, Mr Jellicoe intimated that the case for the prosecution wbb closed, and that be would address the bench in the afternoon. This afternoon Mr Jellicoe, in a two-hours address, reviewed at great length the evidence adduced in the case of perjury preferred against Detective Benjamin. His speech dealt mainly with evidence bearing on Benjamin's evidence at Ohemis' trial, and the inferences suggested by the defence as to the motive of the present investigation. In connection with the evidence as to fragments of papers which the police said they had taken out of the bedroom, he contended that the falsity of that had been fully proved by the evidence not only of two persons, but by evtry surrounding circumstance. It was very clear that Mrs Chemis on no occasion had a private interview with her husband, and the bench found these statements agreed. There could be no better evidence of the truth of it. There could not possibly have been any collusion between them. As to the powder flask, abundant evidence had been called which proved that Chemis had a powder flask both before and after

the murder, and also that it was in the drawer. The police had set up a paper theory, bnt why had they not asked Chemis if he used wads or paper in loading his gun? He thought the absence of such a question showed that' the police had seen the wads in the drawer. Again, supposing their theory to be correct, why did they not ask for the powder flank after securing the shot pouch? Again, if the paper theory had been started by the police, why were the gun and revolver, the only two weapons in the house consistent with their theory, allowed to remain until the Sunday ? If such articles as these were left behind, was it not reasonable to assume that the police would also leavo behind a powder flask, wad cutter, caps, &c. ? Reference was next made to the quail, and counsel submitted that evidence established . the truth of Chetnis' statement that on the day prior to the murder he had shot the quail which were in the tin into which Benjamin looked. It was, Mr Jellicoe said, easily seen that if Benjamin had admitted the presen<".^|^^. *j quail, it would have accounted for the re^Hßk ° r firing of the gun. The evidence t he said, oISSSg^/ Chemis and wife on this point was fully corroborated, as was also the possession of a wad cutter by Chemis. It had, he continued* been suggested by the other side, that,the powder flask, wad cutter, and caps had been placed in the drawer after the search by the police, but they had not had the courage to ask any witnesses for the prosecution if that was so. The slight discrepancies in the evidence of Chemis and wife as to the drawer in which the lease wan kept proved) he thought, the truth of their evidence, inasmuch as had they been swearing falsely they would have.agreed as to what should be said. It was next suggested by the defence that this was a malicious prosecution prompted by him (Mr Jellicoe),audinaddition it was hinted that he had declared he would have all the police and detectives out of the country. With regard to the latter he could not say ■ . whether it would be a difficult or easy task, but at all events he did not intend to try it, nor bad he ever thought of such. As to the prosecution, it had only been undertaken after careful consideration of the whole case and the evidence likely to be brought forth. He regretted that the Government had not explained who cut the bandbox after beiDg placed in their possession, and although Ministers had b^cn experimenting with tho stiletto in the tail of Hawkins' coat, it may be said to be possible that these exhibits would be required again, and should have remained in • the fame coudition as when before the Supreme Court. Referring to tho recently discovered ... shot pouch and knife, he felt sure the bench was satisfied they were not at the. spot found on August 2. Then whose were they, and nho placed them there? These were questions requiring explanation. He had. been refused an adjournment to enable him to secure evidence on the point, so at a later period he might be compelled to apply to the higher court in order that the articles should be open to public inspection, so that the owner could be found. There were, he thought, other people who could identify them. In concluding, Mr Jellicoe said he had little doubt that the bench would come to a decision that sufficient evidenco had been adduced to send the case to a jury. In reply to Mr Bell, '.. Mr Graham, R.M., said .at the present moment he was not prepared to say whether t'aere was a case to answer or not. Voluminous evidence had been taken, and it would take some time to go through it. On Monday he would state whether it was necesaary for Mr Bell to show cause why Benjamin should not be committed for trial.