TIMARU TRAGEDY

Hawera Star, Volume XLIX, 21 January 1930, Page 5

TIMARU TRAGEDY

DEATH OF • FARMER’S WIFE MURDER CHARGE LAID HUSBAND TO STAND TRIAL (By Telegraph—Press Association.) TIMARU, Jan. 20. One tof the most ghastly crimes committed in New Zealand in recent years occurred at Healey’s Corner, Seadown. a week ago, when Christina Oldfield, a young married woman, avas murdered while she slept, her head being cleft with an axe. Her husband, Jack Oldfield, a well-known farmer, was arrested. The police proceeded with the case to-day in the Timaru Magistrate’s Court.

The Oldfields had been married only a month when the tragic happening took place. Accused is a returned soldier and is a member of a well-kmonvn Seadown family. His farm of 115. acres comprises some of the ‘ best land in South Canterbury. He was wounded in th c head and leg on the Gallipoli Peninsula. Prior to her marriage Mrs Oldfield, who was then Miss Chrissey Sutherland, practised as a masseuse in Timaru and Christchurch. Following th tragedy it is alleged the accused madi an unsuccessful attempt ho commit suicide, being frustrated by his brother, Eldred Charles Oldfield, who obtained possession of a shotgun after a struggle.

Eldred Charles Oldfield, a farmer of Seadown, in evidence to-day said that he lived half a mile from his brother’s farm at Hedlev’s Corner. So far as he knew only the accused and his wife slept in the house on the night ic-f January 12. The .following- morning accused came to witness’ farm. He had a shotgun in his hand. The weapon (produced) belonged to his late father’s estate. Accused asked for cartx-idges with which lie proposed to shoot rabbits. Witness said he did mot know if he had any cartridges, but the accused found some for himself.

“GOOD-BYE ELDRED’’ A moment later accused called out, “ Good-bye, Eldred.” Witness looked up and saw his brother looking down the barrel of the gun. He was trying to pull thc trigger. Witness rushed at the accused, at the sam e time calling for a ploughman, Arthur Duncan. He fought and succeeded in taking possession of the gun. Then the accused said: “You had better let me finish" it, for I’ve killed Chfissy.” When Duncan arrived the accused was strapped to a fence. There was no cartridge in the gun. To the inspector -witness said that his brother had borrowed the gun on a previous occasion in order to shoot a horse. However, lie had not shot the animal.

In reply to further questions witness said the gun was fitted with a safety catch.

At this stage- the inspector produced a pad Containing a numerical inscription, but witness could not say if the writing was that of his brother. Witness said he went to Iledley’s Corner after what the accused had said and there found the body of Mrs Oldfield. She was lying on a bed in a front room in a pool of blood. He did not examine the wound as the woman’s head was covered with blood. She still appeared to be breathing. Accused had been .worrying about his financial position and had asked witness for a loan. He said that the banks and firms had turned him down. Accused should have been comfortably off but was short of ready cash. So far as witness was aware the accused and his wife were on good terms.

To Mr F. J. Rolleston, for the accused, witness said accused’s married life, so far as witness knew, was perfectly happy. Accused' was a hard worker.

EXPENSE OF LIVING

To Inspector Bird witness said accused had ofterP spoken about the expense of living. Dr. Seannell, Temuka, said that on January 13 he went to the Oldfields’ homestead and saw Mrs Oldfield lying ‘on her right side in a double bed. There, was a gaping -wound on hef head. The wound, which was about three inches in length, in liis opinion was caused, by two blows. The cause of deatli was fracture, of the skull with laceration ■of the brain as the result of being struck by a sharp instrument. Evidence was given by Arthur Duncan, iw ; hio said that at 6.30 on January 13 he saw a motor-car in the yard and Eldred and Jack Oldfield struggling for a gun, which was in the accused’s hands. Eldred asked Jack wliat was the matter and ho said, “I’ve killed my wife. ’ ’ Eldred asked whom he had killed and accused said, “I’ve killed Chrissy. ” Witness .asked accused if ho had quarrelled with his wife and he replied, “No they .hadn’t.” Accused appeared to he rational at the time.

Henry John Waite, a farmer of Seadown, said that on his arrival at Eldred Oldfield’s place lie saw l accused tied up with a strap and closely guarded by Arthur Duncan and Eldred Oldfield. Tlie latter said, “I leave my brother in your charge, as I’m going to see what he has done.” Accused then said, “I killed her all right. I hope Eldred doesn’t faint at the sight of the blood. I realise now what I’ve done. She was a good girl to me. Her poor old mother will be cut up.” Accused appeared to be quite rational.

STATEMENTS TO POLICI

Constable A. Southworth gave evidence of arresting Oldfield, who said,. “I realise now what I’ve done. I .was worried over things. I thought I’d spoilt the poor girl’s life. I can’t say anything. ” In a small room next to th e bedroom, the constable said, lie found a writing pad and an account book with pencilled figures which indicated the accused had been working out the financial position of the farm.

Constable Kearney said that at the accused’s request h e commenced tli write his statement, but after he had | written a little accused said: “I could 1 say a lot. I was .worrying about the future. I think it is as well to write nothing at all. I think I will leave it for the time, being. I’]] tear this thing up. I must, have been mad at the time. I loved the girl. I went to a lot of trouble getting the house readv for her. Now I’m in financial difficulties. She wa.s the best girl in the world. Things were not too bright; 1 could not sleep.” Detective Lindsay Studliolme said that at the' Teninka police station the accused said, “Oh, God! Why did I do it lam sorry for the poor girl’s mother. I am not insane. I deserve all that is coming to me.” Inspector Bird said that at Temuka accused asked if he could see a solicitor at Timaru. “Tripp and Rolles-

ton made my will about a week ago,” lie had said, “but it is no good now. I’ll have to make another, but it doesn’t matter much as this is the finish of me.” Accused reserved his ’defence and was committed to the Supreme Court at Timaru for trial.