MISSING MAN

Southland Times, Issue 25312, 15 June 1935, Page 7

MISSING MAN

TATTOOED ARM CASE EVIDENCE GIVEN BY MRS HOLMES COUNSEL’S OBJECTIONS (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright.) (Rec. 7.15 p.m.) Sydney, June 14. Further evidence was given to-day at the inquiry into the death of James Smith, aged 45, whose tattooed arm was disgorged by a captive shark in Coogee Aquarium, which eventually led to the victim’s identification. Mrs Inie Parker Holmes, widow of Reginald Holmes, whose death the police are now investigating, said that James Smith was employed in connection with building a block of flats for her a few years ago. Both Smith and Patrick Brady had repeatedly visited her husband at his boat-building yards and conversations went on at his office. The last occasion on which she saw Brady was about 8 a.m. on April 9 when he asked to see her husband. Brady was extremely agitated. Both his hands were cut and bloodstained. Mrs Holmes was then asked whether her late husband had discussed with her the disappearance of James Smith, to which she replied not until last week. “He told tae Brady had murdered him,” she said. Mr Clive Evatt, counsel for Brady, objected, contending that as Holmes was now dead, it was impossible to test the accuracy of the widow’s statement. Objection Overruled. The Coroner "overruled the objection and said that for the purposes of this inquiry her evidence was admissible. Mrs Holmes said she asked her husband what Brady did with the body. Her husband told her Brady put it in a tin trunk, then in a boat and tipped it over into the sea. This occurred the night prior to his visit to Holmes’s house on April 8. Percival Forbes gave evidence that Brady, under the name of Williams, rented his seaside cottage at Cronulla at the end of March and for part of April, and at the expiration of the tenancy he discovered that the mattress had been replaced by a new one. Witness also discovered a kerosene tin containing something resembling blood, which possessed a horrible stench. Witness also noticed that one of his tin trunks had been replaced by a new one.

Mrs Holmes, further examined, said that about April 26 her husband went to Melbourne, leaving £5. He told her to post it to Mr Jamieson, Post Office, North Sydney. She knew Brady called himself Jamieson and also used other names. A person later telephoned her and asked her whether there was anything for him. She presumed it was Brady and told him there was a letter at the post office for him. Mr Evatt again protested and said the woman’s evidence was against all the principles of fairness. Divorce Proceedings Mentioned. Cross-examined, Mrs Holmes said she was unaware that her husband had commenced divorce proceedings or that Mr Young, the architect for her flats, had been named as co-respondent. She added that Young and James Smith were associated in building the flats six years ago. Mrs Holmes was then cross-examined about the sinking of the yacht Pathfinder. She said she believed it was covered by insurances. James Smith was the only person aboard when the yacht sank. He rowed ashore. The insurance company had refused to pay the insurance. She was not aware of the amount. Mrs Holmes said she did not think her husband claimed insurance on the Pathfinder. She believed her husband had an overdraft at the bank, but he was not in financial difficulties. Mr Evatt asked witness whether she went to the police after her husband told her Smith had been murdered. Statement Made to Police. She replied in the affirmative. She had learned that her husband had already made a statement to the police. Mr Evatt: Did you read his statement? . Witness: No, but he told me he told the whole truth. That was only last week. Several times Mr Evatt objected to the Coroner receiving evidence implicating Brady, and declared at the close of the proceedings that much of today’s evidence would not be admitted in another Court. The Coroner replied: You need not tell me that. Mr Evatt: This evidence is being sent by the Press throughout the world and should not be admitted. The Coroner: I am running this Court. I know what is admissable. The hearing was adjourned till Monday.