Tragedy in the North

Hastings Standard, Volume III, Issue 867, 10 March 1899, Page 3

Tragedy in the North

ALLEGED MURDER

AN OLD MAN KILLED BY HIS

MATE

(Per :i Aisori--u"ic/i.)

Aitklaxd, This day.

The Whangarei correspondent of the Star wirs that a tragic affair happened there this morning, when an aged pensioner named Robert Fuller, 75 years of age, is alleged to have been killed by his mate, also a pensioner, named Robert Howson, who, it is stated, struck Fuller over the head with an axe, killing him instantly.

The men were both late of the -jCith regiment, quartered in New Zealand during the Maori war. They were living together in a cottoge, where the shocking affair took place. Last month both were awarded old age pensions. The act is alleged to have been the outcome of a dispute which occurred when the breakfast was being prepared. Later. Howson, Fuller, and another old man lived together. It is stated that Howson, after hiding the tomahawk, washed the blood oil his person. He informed Constable O'Grady that he had a row with his mate.

The constable found Fuller sitting in a chair, quite dead. He was covered with blood.

There was a fearful Rash across .his face and four gashes on his head.

Hi 3 skull was fractured in two places. Howson was arrested.

He is a man eighty years of age. Accused had been failing mentally for some time.