MURDER IN NORTH

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXIII, Issue 11837, 19 January 1933, Page 6

MURDER IN NORTH

WIDOW SHOT IN BED; LABORER BEFORE COURT. ACCUSED TRIED TO SHOOT HIMSELF. tPie=s Association.! AUCKLAND. Jan. 18. Bertha May Bennett. 40, a widow, owner of a small dairy farm was murdered by being shot in the chest with a shotgun while in bed at. her home in East Tamaki road, Papatuetoe. at 11 o’clock last night. Deceased and Jt«• r daughters were well-known riders of the Pakui'anga Hunt Club.

This moniiug Thomas Francis Clark 32. a New Zealander, a laborer. Avas charged before Air. McKean. S.M-. Avitbli murdering Mrs. Bennett.

Accused will nut appear as he is in hospital, ” said Detective-Sergeant Kelly. “.After the murder of this woman last night lie attempted to shoot himself, but most of the charge struck Ms watch and glanced off. There is every chance of bis recovery, and hg will have to be watched”.

.An application for u week’s remand Was granted. It is understood that the police obtained a statement from Alfred George Hamilton, a liuteller, and a cousin of accused. Hamilton had lodged with M rs. lien nett and had been living with her as man and wife. He states that they retired to bed about 9 o’clock. About II o’clock lie heard the woman' say: “What are you doing in the room. Frank? Get out of if”'. Tmihodh)telv there was a flash from the foot of the bed. Hamilton jumped out of the tied and made a rush at the form of a. man, the later passing through a door yind closing it behind him. He heard another shot and, rushing through the door, saw that Clark, who brushed past him into the bedroom, had injured himself with a gun. It is understood that Chirk wanted to marry Mrs. Bennett and was unaware of the relationship- with his eon sin, Hamilton.