THE GLEBE TRAGEDY.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3391, 5 December 1911, Page 7

THE GLEBE TRAGEDY.

EVIDENCE OF THE ARREST.

STATEMENTS BY AIOIR

MELBOURNE, Nov. 30. Tho hearing of the case against Moir was resumed in the City Court at 3 this afternoon.

Detective John Walker, of Sydney, produced the original warrant, and asked for a remand to Sydney. Detective Lonsdale said he saw tho accused at 12.0 p.m. yesterday at Clarinda street, Essendon. He asked him his name, and he said, "-Alexander Carmichael.” When asked what liis occupation was lie said he was a limelight operator. Accused said ho had been living at Essendon for . about three weeks, and that he came from Ballarat, where lie had I>eeft living for about three years. He said he was employed at Ballarat by Air Simpson, a storekeeper, in High-street. On being told that there was no street of that name in Ballarat he said there was, near the , railway station. He said his father was dead, and that his mother lived in j Reservoir street, Ballarat. Witness then searched him, and found a wallet with the initials C.N.AI. on it. Witness asked him if he had been at Sydney. and be said ‘'No ; I haves never been there.” Witness and Detective Coonan then saw accused’s wife. Witness asked Moir if he had any brothers and sisters, and he said, “Yes; six brothers and two sisters.” Witness said, “What is their name?” and ho replied, “Moir.” “Then your name must be Moir?” said witness, and accused replied, “Yes.” Witness searched tlie house, and in a drawer found a number of dental instruments and other articles. He also found a number of letters, which accused said were in his hand-writing. Witness and Detective Coonan then took accused to the police station, and when the warrant was read over to him he said, “Yes.” Witness, continuing, said that Moir was then asked the follow ing questions after being warned, and gave the replies indicated "How long have you known Trevascus?”—"Since July, 11)10.” “Where were you on October 2S?” ■—“l decline to answer.” “Where were you on October 29 up . to midnight?”—“l. decline to. answer.” : "Where were you on Monday, October 30?”—“1 decline to say.” < "Did you call at Trevascus’s on Oc- ■ iober 30 r”—"-No.’’ j "Did you write a letter to Trevascus . offering "to sell him platinum pins and : sign it Fisher?”—“Yes: 1 wrote the letter.” ( i Witness said accused signed these ] questions. When he searched accused { lie found a silver watch, mounted shil- < ling, and a gilded chain. A loir also ] told Lonsdale that he last saw Trevas- c cats on October 31 at 9. a.m. , Detective Coonan gave corroborative i evidence, and Aloir was remanded to j Svdney. +

FURTHER DEVELOPMENTS LIKELY.

WORK OF THE FINGER-PRINT DEPARTMENT.

The arrest of Campbell Nairn at Essendon, Melbourne, on a charge of murdering Henry Trevascus caused a sensation in Sydney, and it is ]x>;sib v that. further revelations may be of an equally sensational character. Inspecotr Childs and Senior-detective Walker, who left for Melbourne last night, reached there early this morning. ‘ -

Tlie police are extremely reticent regarding the tragedy and arrest. At the Detective Office this morning no information could be gained. The detectives are still busy clearing up some of their old work. The reproduction of the Emu Plains letter, which was first published in “The Sun/’ is the basis on which the discovery may rest. Outside information, which the police decline to discuss, shows that the appearance of the letter and the offer of a big reward for the identity of the writer set the minds of the public to work. It transpired that a letter was on the correspondence file of a business man, whose keen' perception told him that it Avas very similar to the Emu Plains letter. It will be remembered that the date on the heading wsa “'October 28.10.11.” . This unusual way of writing the date is,, it is stated, in the letter that came into the possession of the police. As soon as they received the missive they jumped to their clue, and folknvcd it persistently. There were, many setbacks and conferences, but in the and they were able to track the suspected man.

The finger-print system is now to play its part in clearing up the mystery. On the notice which was left on the door stating that Trevascus had gone to Goulbtirn and would bo back on Friday there were finger-prints. When the murder was discovered the police took every care of this slip of paper. The finger-prints Avero carefully photographed, and then the slip was placed under lock and key. Inspector Childs has taken over to. Melbourne these finger-prints, which Avill be compared with those taken of the arrested man by Inspector Potter, bead of the Viteiran Finger-Print Department. This afternoon copies of the prisoner’s prints will arrive here, and Superintendent Roche Avill compare them Avith these taken from the piece of paper.