THE CHRISTCHURCH MYSTERY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 5982, 11 March 1911, Page 1

THE CHRISTCHURCH MYSTERY.

At the adjourned Police Court proacedings in connection with the. Cashel street mystery, in which Harry Alexander Jack and Walter Richard Sadler are charged with the murder of Ethel Mary Bradley at Christchurch on or about Tuesday, February 7 th, were resumea befose Mr T. A. A. Bailey, S.M. Mr T. W. Stringer, K.C., appeared for the police, and Mr S. G. llnymond (with him Mr J.A. Cassidy) for Jack, and Mr T. G. Itusso.li for Sadler.

Both accused were looking pale after their confinement, but beyond this and seaming a bit worried, their appearance has improved since the- conclusion of the inquest.

Evidence much to the same olfect as that given at the inquest was adduced, also the following ; Clara Annie Bradley, wife of deceased's brother, stated that the black hat produced was that worn by deceased on (Tuesday when witness saw her last. Wiiaess know it was the hat because she trimmed it for dereased.

Annie Murphy, wile of -1 aim's Murphy, crossing keeper at Montreal street said she lived on the railway line near the crossing. One morningi recently she found a woman’s hat between the railway lines. 'The time was about half-past six o’clock. She picked it up and gave it subsequently to Detective Gibson. She ‘did not remember the date.

To Mr Ifussell j She did not hand tbn hat over to the police until a long lime after she found it.

Thomas Thompson, railway crossing keeper, who relieved Murphy, the husband of the previous witness, said that on the morning of February Sth Murphy told him about his wife lliiding a hat.

When the case for the Crown closed, Mr Russell formally applied for bail for Sadler, and said that as far as he could see the case against Sadler had not altered much. The other day, in opposing the bail being renewed, Chief Detective Bishop hud said there was further evidence against Sadler. The only fresh evidence that day had been that of a woman discovering the hat, and that hardly seemed to affect Sadler. As the case stood at present no jury would convict Sadler. Sadler was as sure of being acquitted as the sun was of rising. Sadler, if granted bail, could report himself to the police authorities every day. Mr Raymond applied for bail for Jack. Mr Russell’s remarks applied to his client with equal force. Sadler’s last statement may have been beneficial to Sadler or otherwise, but in any case it had nothing' to do with Jack, Jack’s position was equal at least to Sadler’sf Bail could bo made substantial, and .Jack could report himself every day to the. police. T here was hardly a chance of convicting, ami in the event of his client being' found not guilty, it would be a great hardship to him if he were not allowed bail.

Mr Stringer said chat the question of bail, of course, rested with the discretion of the Court. Mr Russell, however, was not justified in saying that as sure as the sun rose Sadler would be arquiUcd, IE this wore s„, his Worship might as well acquit the, accused at once, otherwise he must treat Urn charge as a capital one. The t'ourl comm'dlcd (lie accused lor trial (o the Supreme Court, bail being refused. The criminal sessions of the Bupreii'o Court commence on May 15th.