PIHA MYSTERY

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 19900, 30 March 1939, Page 6

PIHA MYSTERY

TWO ACCUSED IN DOCK CHARGE OF ARSON IDENTITY NOT AT ISSUE REMAND TIRE AERIE Gi (]Vr Press Association.) AUCKLAND, this day. Gordon Robert McKay and James Arthur Talbot appeared together at the Police Court for the first time to-day on remand. The accused arrived .in the police van with other prisoners. The court was packed to capacity, ’there -being an increased number of women. McKay. was shown on the charge sheet to have an alias, “Tom Bowlands.” He was described as a wool and skin dealer. Of Australia, aged 43. McKay and Talbot were jointly charged with wilfully setting fire to a dwelling at Piha and further with interfering with human remains. After hearing the police and counsel, Mr. C. R. Orr-Walker, S.M., granted the police application for a remand to April (i. Detective-Sergeant Walsh, in asking for a remand until April (i, said he hoped that on that date some indication would be given as to when the police would -be able to proceed. Mr. Terry, appearing for Talbot, said there was no objection to that, but he again drew attention to the proximity of the Supreme Court session, and said he trusted the police would allow sufficient time tc prepare the defence.

“The police have taken nearly 10 weeks to prepare their case," he said. “The date suggested for the hearing is only- 10 days before the session opens.” Detective-Sergeant Walsh said that, if necessary, tlie trial rouid probably take place at a later session. Mr. Orr-Walker, referring to McKay, said: “Last week he claimed lie was not McKay Mr. Sanderson, appearing for McKay: Last week he was quite abnormal, both mentally and physically. Although he still thinks he is Tom Rowlands, I am nbt raising Any point as to his identity.

Mr. Orr-Walker: If any question of identity is involved, the court would assist by .giving a hearing on that question. Mr. Sanderson: No, sir. We are not taking any point On the questidn of identity'.

The remand was granted. As the accused left the dock, McKayscanned the crowd at the back or the court.