BUTLER INTERVIEWED BY REPORTERS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2252, 29 April 1897, Page 23

BUTLER INTERVIEWED BY REPORTERS.

Shortly after the steamer was berthed alongside the wharf Butler intimated to Deteclive Roche that he would like to see some press representatives. This rather astonished the detective, as Butler had appeared in a very bad humour this morning. He, however, explained that he wanted to contradict a statement that appeared in one of the San Francisco papers to the effect that he had admitted having killed Preston. Under the circumstances Detective Roche decided to allow Butler to be interviewed, and he then held a levee of pressmen, including those who came over from Sydney to meet him. As before stated, Butler was heavily ironed, and was lying on his bed. He wa3 dressed in a grey tweed suit, and smoking steadily. In bis hand was "Pearson's Magazine," which he had been reading. He appeared remarkably cool, and seemed rather to enjoy the attention of the pressmen. Everything has been removed from his cabin but the bank and the settee*

Butler at once rose and proceeded to make his statement. He gave a grim smile when one I of the visitors from the other side said "The I Butler cap is now all the rage in Sydney." Referring to his capture at S*n Francisco, Butler said: "Had I remembered the Swauhilda being signalled by the Taupo and known what it was for, things would have bsen different. There would have besn no Swanhilda. When the boat came alongside at San Francisco I thought it was the ordinary business of the health officer, and when we were called up I had no idea that 1 was ' wanted.' I only thought that it was on the health officer's business when I was onllcd. I had my revolver, fully loaded, under my pillow, and if I had known I was wanted there would have been a little bit o? a stir. I could have shot six of them if I had wanted." He then mentioned why ha wanted to see tho pressmen, and emphatically denied that he had ever admitted killing Preston. He pracbioally denied all the etitements that have been cabled out here as being made by him at San Francisco. He denied that he knew Bargess, and refused to make any statements regarding Weller and Preston till ho arrived at Sydney. Referring to the preofmen of Ssn Francisco, Butler said : " Tho reporters over there have a great deal more flifg than they have iv AuatrAlia." He then once more denied that he had made any of j the published statements, and stated that the published statements relative to any confession made by him were a "fake." The interview was dos Ion?, and Butler shortly afterwards resumed reading his magazine. j Later on, when some one asked to see him, ! Detective Roche called out, " Butler, do ycu want to see anyone else?" the reply came ; promptly, and was vary decisive, for he answered in a firm, loud tone, " No, not a soul."