FRACAS IN CAMP

Hawera Star, Volume L, 27 November 1930, Page 5

FRACAS IN CAMP

ALLEGED ATTACK ON WIFE i WOMAN’S SENSATIONAL STORY. AXE ALLEGEDLY USED. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) TAUMARUNUI, Nov. 2G, An allegation that lie attempted to murder his wife at Te Ivopu-iti on November 6 was made against William Barrett Browning, aged 51, before justices of the peace at Ohura to-day.. Browning reserved, his defence and was committed to the Supreme Court at Hamilton for trial. Detective Walsh prosecuted and Mr J. N. McKenzie appeared for Browning. Lucy Ann Browning, aged 41, said she had met Browning on January 8 and married him at Rcwa on April 19, 1930. Her husband described himself as an overseer in the Public Works Department. After the marriage she joined her husband at the Oheao camp at Te Ivopu-iti. On the evening of November 6, she, her daughter Lucy, Browning and John Dobree were playing cards in the kitchen. A. dispute arose and she asked Browning to light the- lamp. Browniilg did not -speak, nor - did he light the lamp. She rose to light the lamp and said she would throw him and the lamp through the window. She was angry. They did not resume playing cards. .. . Later Browning forced his wav into Mrs Browning’s bedroom. She was near the doorway and he moved towards her. Mrs Browning pushed him and he stumbled against a box in the porch. Browning then struck her og the chin, Mrs Browning alleged, and blood streamed from a cut. She fan outside screaming. She Could not say what Browning struck her with. She ran towards the garden, where she slipped or overbalanced and fell on her back. Browning was then at her side with a tomahawk in his hand. Mrs Browning said Browning attempted to strike her on the face and she put her left hand in front of her face. She received a blow on the left fore-arm, but she could not say what part of the axe struck her. The wound was six inches in length and one inch deep. She received another cut on tne right wrist while Browning had the axe. She succeeded in taking the axo from him while she was stiff on the ground, but he kept on hitting her. Her eye, arm and face were . bruised. The wounds bled froelv. = She also sustained a wound on the back of her. head, but she may have received thatwhen she fell.

She screamed, said Mrs Browning, and. John Dobree came along and helped her to her feet. She held the axe while Dobree went for assistance. Evidence was given by Lucy Browning and John "Dobree that they heard the screams and ran towards the-house, Where they found Mrs Browning lying on the ground and Browning standing over her. Lucy Browning fainted. Constable Ebett said that in response to a telephone message on November G ho went to Te Kopu-iti with Dr Turnbull. 'Browning told the constablo he would make a statement showing that he had had provocation. Browning said he could not control himself and complained about men who visited . the house being in positions and places they had no right to be. His wife had told him to get out of the house and go to the tent. He caught hold of the axe and his wife fell, but he did not know what ho had done. There. had been one long quarrel overmen, and if he was jealous he had reason to be. Browning also told the constable that, there had been a party and everyone had had more drink than was good for them. His wife had become “ silly drunk.” Of his six months’ married life his wife had spent two months in Auckland having a good time, and when she returned she told him to go to hell.