MURDER CHARGE.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXIV, Issue 936, 5 December 1933, Page 7

MURDER CHARGE.

Accused Man Appears in Court. 'REQUEST BY COUNSEL. Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, December 5. The Police Court was crowded this morning when William Alfred Baylv, aged 28 years, a farmer, of Ruawaro, near Iluntly, who was arrested in Auckland last evening, appeared on a charge that on October 15, at Ruawaro, he murdered Christobel Lakey. The Crown Prosecutor (Mr V. R. Meredith) applied for a remand till December 13. Mr K. F. Northcroft, for the prisoner, said that he would like an indication as to when the hearing of the case was likely to go on. He said that the matter had been in the hands of the police for a long time and it could be assumed that they were ready. The defence was entitled to expect that the case would go ahead as quickly as possible. Mr Meredith: I can assure my friend that the case will be gone on with with the utmost dispatch. The Magistrate (Mr F. K. Hunt) granted the remand and the prisoner, whose demeanour was completely calm throughout, was removed. ARREST IN AUCKLAND. Investigation Into Mystery at Farmhouse. Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, December 4. A farmer of Ruawaro, William Alfred Bayly, was arrested in Auckland tonight in a charge of murdering Christobel Lakey at Ruawaro on or about October 15. It was seven weeks ago to-day since the police investigation into the mystery at a remote farmhouse was commenced. The officers who made the arrest were Detectives Snedden and Allsopp, who were the first detectives to be engaged on the case. Driven by Detective Walsh, of Wanganui, they proceeded by motor-car from the city to a house in Great South Road, Green Lane, arriving there by 7.30 o’clock. The car was parked in Great South Road opposite the carriage entrance to the residence, and Detectives Snedden and Allsopp left the premises about 7.55, accompanied by the arrested man. The car left immediately for the Central Police Station. Senior-Sergeant Lambert was in charge at the watchhouse when the arrested man arrived. After the charge was noted and a description of the arrested man’s effects were entered on the records he was placed in the cells. The whole incident occupied about forty minutes, from the time of the police visit to the house at Green Lane and the formalities at the watchhouse, The operation was carried out smoothly and there was no occurrence to distinguish it from an ordinary arrest. The arrested man is married and is stated to be twenty-eight years old. There are two young children, both boys.

Bayly came from Ruawaro on Friday on a visit to Auckland.