THE CRUMPE CASE.

Feilding Star, Volume I, Issue 277, 28 May 1907, Page 3

THE CRUMPE CASE.

[PSR PBBSB ASSOOIA-ION.] Auckland, May 28. The Hon. W. Beehan, M.L.C., who was personaUy acquainted with John Langford Crumpe, charged with murder at Southsea, says the accused was a nephew of the late Dr. Crumpe, an eminent surgeon, and was eccentric in his habits. When Dr. Crumpe died, about thirty years ago, he left a fortune, believed to be about £40,000 in cash, besides landed properties. John Langford Crumpe was the doctor's newphew. He early developed a roving disposition and was many times at sea as an ordinary sailor. For many years i he foUowed mining in various centres. Crumpe often related his trouble about his uncle's wiU. He has been brooding over the matter for the past twenty-seven years. Crumpe said that busybodies in Auckland had sent letters Home which had a great deal to do with prejudicing him in the doctor's eyes. He was absolutely the next or kin, and instead of being weU provided for ho was left with a matter of £150, and was debarred, in deed, from going to the Old Country. John Crumpe was married here to a widow lady of very good family from Home. She had a number of children by her first husband, and two sons were born to Crumpe. One of these is still living. Crumpe mentioned to the Hon. Mr Beehan that Mrs Moriarty was certain to provide in her will for his son. Crumpe disregarded the terms of the wiU, and went Home several times to try to upset it, but invariably failed to get the lawyers to take up the case, and was unsuccessful in his designes. He was a good-hearted man, but. of violent temper if put *nt, andfigas easily upset.