NIGHT OF TRAGEDY

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 19, 17 October 1930, Page 10

NIGHT OF TRAGEDY

Death of Mrs. Townsend HUSBAND IN DOCK Money and Family Affairs EVIDENCE OF QUARRELS By Telegraph.—Press Association. New Plymouth, October 1® Public interest in tlie trial of Alexander Townsend, farm labourer, charged with the murder of his wife, Cora Alice Townsend, who was found with her throat cut, on the morning of September 16, was shown by the very large crowd which thronged the public portion of the Court this morning when tlie hearing before the magistrate, Mr. R. W. Tate, commenced. Inspector Fraser conducted the prosecution for the police, and the prisoner was represented by Mr. L. M. Moss. It was agreed to take the inquest simultaneously with the trial. Emily Pearce, of Ronald Street, said that Mrs. Townsend and her daughter Jean were staying at her place. On the evening of September 15 Mrs. Townsend and her daughter left about 6.30. About 7.15 accused called at the house. In reply to a question from accused, witness said that Jean had gone out with her mother. Accused said: “You know you told me lies before.” Witness replied: “You get off our property.” Witness locked the door in his face, but an hour later he knocked again and asked what time his wife and daughter would be back. Witness replied that she did not know. Accused knocked again at 10 o’clock. Soon after Jean came home, and witness heard accused say, “Where is your mother?” Jean replied: “She's gone to Mrs. Vickers.” He said “Well. I want you to come with me to get her I want to have it out with you both.” Jean refused to go, and came inside. Daughter’s Evidence.. Jean Townsend, giving evidence, sail that while at Hamilton she had seen hei father come home the worse for liquor. Once he threatened to blow her mother’s brains out, previous to September 15. Her mother and father had not spoken tc each other since leaving Hamilton. Ernest Frederick Huse, factory mana ger, Onaero, said his wife was a sister of deceased. Witness gave evidence regarding accused visiting his place after the tragedy, which was corroborated by his wife, Mary Beatrice Huse. Mrs. Huse said she had heard her sister and accused discussing their quarrels about money, farming and family affairs. Happenings Prior to Tragedy. Elsie Murray Petchell. a nurse residing with Mrs. Vickers, said that on the night of September 15 Mrs. Townsend called at the house at about 7.15. Mrs. Townsend arrived at about 10.15. Townsend came; he knocked on the front door and witness’s niece,- Elsie Vickers, opened it. He asked for Mrs. Townsend, who was in the kitchen. Mrs. Townsend went to the front door and, with accused, went into the sit-ting-room. Witness heard Townsend and Mrs. Townsend arguing. They were talking in a loud tone. Witness went into the sitting room. Townsend was standing in the middle of the room; Mrs. Townsend seemed upset. Witness asked Townsend what he wanted and to get out. Witness left them and returned to the kitchen. Mrs. Townsend came down to the kitchen a few minutes afterward, accused having gone. Soon afterward Townsend came back, and then Mrs. Vickers came in. The conversation between Townsend .and Mrs. Townsend was about the daughter Jean. He asked if Jean was working, and was told she was trying to secure work. A cup of coffee was given to Townsend. Townsend asked Mrs. Townsend to go away with him. She refused, and he wont away again, saying he would wait outside for her. He came back some time later and again asked his wife to go away with him. She again refused, but as he was leaving she said she would meet him next morning. Early Morning Visit. It was arranged, continued Nurse Patchel, that Mrs. Townsend should spend the night at Mrs. Vickers’s, and she was to sleep in the sitting-room with witness ; neither of them undressed long. A time after they retired, she heard two knocks at the back door. She unlocked the door, but nobody was there. Then came a knock at the French window. Witness opened the window, and found Townsend standing there. He asked if Mrs. Townsend would go out with him. He came inside, and Mrs. Townsend told him it was too late to go out; she would go at daylight, and asked him to sit down till then. They resumed the argument about the daughter and money. The nurse left the room, and Townsend asked where she was going. The couple followed her into the passage. witness continued. He asked where the telephone was, and on being told he seized the receiver, and smashed the cord from the instrument. The nurse said she became alarmed at the change in Townsend’s expression. He leaned toward Mrs. Townsend, and his face was white ami his teeth set. Witness became terrified, and ran for help. When she left the Townsends were standing by the telephone. Lifelong Friend. Mrs. Cherry Isabella Vickers and Mrs. Townsend bad been her friend for almost a lifetime. Following Nurse Patchel’s story, she said she was awakened very late. The Townsends went from the telephone toward the front of the house, and witness heard noises. Townsend said: “I am a dead man now.” Mrs. Townsend called out: “No, you’re not.’ Mrs. Vickers heard her name. "Bella! Bella !” called several times by Mrs. Townsend, then there was silence. No sound of struggling was heard. Witness then went to her bedroom to her' girls, one of whom said she heard Mrs. Townsend leave the house. She then went into the sittingroom, and found Mrs. Townsend sitting on the floor with blood splashed about. She did not go near. Elsie Murray Vickers, age<l 18. telling of Townsend’s visit to the house, said she heard Mrs. Townsend call out: “Doni break my arm!” and then, "Not with your pocket knife!” There was a. shuffling noise and then Mrs. Townsend called- “Bella! Bella!” At this stage the case was adjourned. Eleven witnesses were heard to-day. and nine more are to be heard to-morrow.