COMMENTS BY MR COLLINS

Wanganui Chronicle, Issue 12857, 18 December 1912, Page 5

COMMENTS BY MR COLLINS

A WRONG IMPRESSION. '

A SCHEME OF REVENGE

Mr Oollius' commented. on the case, and said he would -like to remove an impression created b# the report of the occurrence in tbe "Chronicle" of that morning, which had suggested that there had heen improper intimacy. The paper had certainly said that it was a rumour, but no evidence to that effect was given, nor was there any ground for such a rumour. On the other hand, it Avas quite clear that when the deceased girl discovered what Urquhart was, she had no desire to have any further dealings with him. Mr Collins suggested that from the

tone of the letters Urqulrart exercised a powerful influence over, the girl, and while she was under that influence she had told Mrs Urquhart, the wife, that she would not give him up. However, ■when she did get away from the influence, .she had. no desire to have anything further to do with him. Furthermore, the deceased left a letter to say that he had s«nt twenty letters to the -people of Fern Flats making certain allegations. He (Mr Collins) did not know if these letters had rcn.ohed their destination that day. nut he hoped that the recipients would be actuated by motives of honour, and return the communications to the police for destruction. Tho attitude of the deceased Urquhart Avas such that-he had no doubt entered upon a scheme of revenue, because the girl would not have him.