SHOCKING TRAGEDY.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 26 November 1925, Page 4

SHOCKING TRAGEDY.

FATHER ATTACKS SON ELTHAM BOY DEAD. CHARGE OF MURDER LAID. A shocking tragedy was enacted at Eltham shortly before 7 o’clock this morning, when William Gray, 14 years of age, son of Mr and Mrs Archibald Gray, residing in Moir Street, met his death under particularly revolting circumstances.

It appears that the deceased hoy was in the wash-house cleaning his boots at about 6.40 a.m., when his father came across the small courtyard separating the outhouse from the house, and, for some unexplained reason, attacked him with a hammer and cut the boy’s throat with a razor. Alarmed by distressed cries of,“Oh, Father!” “Oh, Father!” Mrs Gray, who had just risen from bed, ran to the scene, hut was unable to avert the tragedy, and in the struggle received a slight cut on the wrist and a minor facial abrasion.

The cries of the boy and his mother attracted the attention of the next door neighbours, Mr and Mrs G. H. Carter, who were just preparing to have breakfast. Realising that serious trouble was disturbing the adjacent household, Mr Carter vaulted the fence separating (the two properties and rushed to the wash-house, where a dreadful scene confronted him.

Mr Gray, with a blood-smeared razor in his hand, was in a kneeling position over the prone body of the boy, who was lying in a pool of blood, and was evidently dead. The boy’s forehead bore an ugly mark, which had evidently been the result of a blow with some blunt instrument, and across the left side of his throat was'a fearful gash.. Mr Carter dragged Gray into tho courtyard) and secured the razor, which he promptly threw over the fence. Gray then appered dazed and offered no resistance, nor did he give any reply to the questions put by Mr Carter. The father was held by Mr Carter while the latter’s wife summoned two other neighbours, Messrs A. Kemp and T.i McQueen. The police and Dr Saunders were communicated with and arrived within a few moments, but the doctor found the boy already dead, the throat wound apparently having proved fatal immediately. ; Questioned, by Constable Townsend* Gray said: “I have been a bit nervy, and I intended to kill the whole family and myself as well.” Mrs Gray stated that while Mr Gray has generally enjoyed good health, he had seemed unwell during the last day or so, and has not been sleeping welL He had written a letter to. his father last evening and retire,d for the night at about 10 o ’clock. During the night Mrs Gray noticed he appeared restless, and on rising this morning he told his wife she need not get up just then. .Shortly after Mr Gray had left, the bedroom the boy’s cries caused her to run to the scene of the tragedy. Gray submitted quietly to arrest and was placed in custody by Constable Townsend. He was brought before Mr J. W. Stubbs, "J.P., at the _ Eltham Magistrate’s Court this morning on a charge of murder, and was remanded to appear at Eltham on Friday, December 4.

The inquest into the circumstances surrounding the death of the boy will be held at the same time. As a pupil of the Stratford Technical High School, the deceased boy was making excellent progress with his studies, and owing to his bright disposition enjoyed great popularity with his fellow pupils as well as among the residents of his home town. Deep regret will be felt concerning his untimely end and sincere sympathy will be extended to his sorrowing relatives. To those acquainted with the family it is extremely difficult to account for Mr Gray’s .violent behaviour. He has been the Health Officer for the Eltham district for the past 11 years, during which time he has been highly .respected and has been regarded as of an exeeedinglv courteous and even tempered disposition. He has lately received notice of his transfer to the position of health officer at Dannevirke, the change to take place in the New Year. He has a daughter six years of age. Mr Carter, who has been Grays’ next door neighbour, for 14 years, has always regarded Mr Gray "with the highest esteem and looked upon him as a man who held his family in sincere affection.

Mr Carter is to be commended upon tlie promptitude with which he answered the call for assistance, as, in view of thei statement made by Mr Gray to the police, th© tragedy may have had more far-reaching consequences but for the neighbour’s speedy action.