MURDER BY A FATHER.

Auckland Star, Volume XLI, Issue 293, 10 December 1910, Page 17

MURDER BY A FATHER.

TRAGIC SEQUEL TO A STRUGGLE) AGAINST POVERTY. • | The tragic sequel to a prolonged struggle against abject poverty was described at Kensington Coroner's Court, when .an inquest was held, with reference to the death of John Thomas Neville, aged fifty-one, of Appleford-road, North Kensington, and of Ihls son, Sidney H. Neville, aged three years. Mrs Neville, the widow, said that her husband had tried hard for seven months to get work, but had failed, although he went out early every morning to seek it. She earned about 9/, but sometimes only 5/ a week, and this- was often their only income. They had to pay 5/6 a week rent, hut it was now nearly a year in arrears. Her husband was a very sober man, and a good husband and father. On Monday, October 24, he had heard that the landlord was going to put the brokers In. They had applied for poor relief, but had not obtained it, except that her husband went in the infirmary when he was ill. Her husband, she continued, told her he had had visions on October 24, and on October 26, and he seemed frightened. She went to work on October .27, and ln the evening was told by a neighbour of what had happened. She found her younger son dead on the bed, and her husband lying on the floor. When she saw her son Joseph in hospital, he seemed to make a motion showing that his father had cat bis throat.

Witnesses living in the same honse gave evidence as to Neville's good character. Jessie Hnghes said about 8.30 on October 27 the door of Neville's room burst open, and the boy Joseph rushed out covered with Wood. She sent some people upstairs, and ran -with mm to a bospltal. '- Esther Oaten, who had known the family for ten years, said that when asked Neville why he .had done it, he said, "Out ot work, out of work.** Medical evidence showed that the younger boy died from hemmorhage, and shock, and the lather died from bronchitis, ■through the cold' air liaving been inhaled through the aperture In the windpipe. The jury returned a verdict that the -boy -was murdered by -his father, who afterwards committed suicide, while of unsound mind. The jnry gave -their fees, with a subscribed sum, to the widow, and the coroner added to it.