EFFIGY IN WAX.

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 12718, 8 August 1934, Page 5

EFFIGY IN WAX.

SECOND EDITION

OUTCOME OF BAYLY TRIAL. CLAIM FOR DAMAGES. Electric Telegraph—Press Association AUCKLAND, Last* Night. A sequel to an order for the lemoval of an effigy of William Alfred Bayly, who was executed for the Euawaro murders, from the waxworks display at the Auckland Winter Exhibition, was a claim brought against the Auckland Manufacturers’ Assoc nation and the Auckland Agricultural and Pastoral Association, as proprietors of the exhibition, in the Magistrate's Court. Plaintiffs, H. E. Johnson and F. E. Johnson, for whom All- R. A. Singer appeared, claimed £ls as the amount ° f rental loss, £5 as damages for alleteed breach of. contract, and a further £7O which was expected as profit from the waxworks show. Defendant organisations were represented by Mr V. R Meredith. claim., Air Singer said plaintiffs did not commence their waxworks displav until the evening of July 20, on which date Bayly was executed. although the Winter Exhibit ion bep;an two Jays before-. -Although the action unusual in some respects, it was a claim for damages for alleged breach of r-on-tract. Defendants had let to plaintiffs space for their waxworks show and a deposit had been paid as oar!v June 25. BAND OF MURDERERS. “Plaintiffs display consisted of effigies of well-known murderers—l suppose one may call them that,” proceeded Air Smger. “There was a reoent trial in this city of a. man nanv i d William Alfred Bayly. Effigies in this somewhat grisly but cxceedinglv popular exhibition had included a number of well-known murderers, such as Coats, James and Eggars. to mention three New Zealanders, and Bela Kiss. a foreigner. I understand thar. on the morning of July 20—1 am careful to read the newspapers—a man who was probably the worst murderer in this country was executed On the evening of that day plaintiffs opened their exhibition.” RUSHED BY THE CURIOUS. The show was open for some 22 minutes only, but as evidence of the eagerness of the public within than time, 29s 6d had been taken at 6d per head. The exhibition authorities insisted upon the removal of the ofbgy of Bayly, but it was submitted that no justification was made by defendants for their action. ‘Defendants’ attitude was ‘no Bill Bayly or no show’.” continued Air Singer, who said the exhibition authorities persisted in their attitude and the waxworks show was closed. Counsel produced a catalogue of Madame Tassaud’s exhibition in London. and commented: “A merciful Providence burned this exhibition down some years ago. Waxworks are a matter of taste. Some jieople do not like oysters; others do not like waxworks.” AL CAPONE WAS THERE. Henry Ernest Johnson gave evidence that, with his brother, F. J. Johnson, he owned tho waxworks exhibition . Air Singer: I understand the effirtl are excl us i vely of murderers r \\ ltness: Well, almost all. On*'. “Scarface” Al-Capone is not a murderer. (Laughter.) Air Siliger; We will call him an alieged murderer. ' s ono who has not been hanged. I suppose,” commented Mr F. K. Hunt. S.AI. “While wc were open, people came up aud asked, 'ls Bavlv in the show!-”” said witness. AVl.en we said Aes.’ they went in. We did not have a. notice outside.” Answering Air Aleredith. witness said the effigy was made in Fchruarv AIONEY IN AIURDERERS. "You were taking time bv the forelock,” commented the Alagistrate Witness said the effigy was shown at Vliakatane. hut it. was removed when exception was taken to the display. That was in May. The efficy had also been shown in Wellington. . ‘At Madame Tussaud’s thev anticipated the hanging of a murderer and model a figure accordingly.” stated Patrick Thomas Holland, manager of the waxworks. "Tliov produce the figure at the psychological moment.” Mr ginger; When is that? Mitness; When the newspapers have worked up public feeling. (Laughter.) According to witness. Air O’Donnell had said something about not. thinking Bayly had received a fair trial. A constable had visited the display and had commented that the effigy was a pretty good one of Bayly. Mr Singer; That, is a matter 'of opinion, your Worship, hut I will sav that the effigies arc all different. Air Siliger produced a book about the Bayly case, written and published in the South Island, and commented that it contained some alarming statements. He handed the hook, with Madame Tussaud's catalogue, to the Alagistrate. Ihe case was adjourned.