TRAGEDY ON FARM

Manawatu Standard, Volume LV, Issue 175, 24 June 1935, Page 6

TRAGEDY ON FARM

YOUTH WOUNDS HIS FATHER. THEN COMMITS SUICIDE. Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, June 23. A dairy farm at East Tamaki waa the scene of tragedy shortly noon to-day when, in broad daylight, Peter Hobson, aged 18, fired two shots at his father, wounding him critically with the second, then took’ nis own life. Peter Hobson, senr. was admitted to the Auckland Hospital suffering from a gunshot wound between the eyes. His condition on admission was grave. The case presents several tragic aspects. The boy, who was known as “Sonny” Hobson, resided with his mother, who lias been living apa it from her husband for some time. This afternoon Mrs Hofison was driven to Ctahuhu to see her son’s dead body, which had been brought there from the farm, while at the same time doctors and nurses at the hospital were fighting to save her husband’s life. The Hobsons’ farm is one of 97 acres. Some months ago Mrs Hobson left the farm, taking her two jons with her, Peter being the elder. She has since been employed ns a housekeeper hy Mr Cocker, of Point Chevalier. Two brothers, Clifford Mullins * and Noel Mullins, were engaged by Mr Hobson as fann hands, and have been living on the farm with him. Early this morning Mr Hobson and the Mullins brothers rose to do the milking and later Mr Hobson drove his van into the city to deliver milk to town suppliers. On his return both he and NoeL Mullins went to their respective rooms for a rest. A little later Clifford Mullins, who had been engaged on some farm work, returned to the house. Ho had been there only a few minutes when he saw Mr Hobson’s son walking across the farmyard carrying a pea rifle.

Mullins first informed his brother and then went to ivarn Mr Hobson. Noel Mullins immediately went to the front room, and when he opened the door he discovered the boy still holding the pea rifle. “Young Hobson, raised the gun and levelled it at me,” Mullins said. “I did not wait to speak to him, but ducked back quickly out of the room. I found Sir Hobson, and when we returned to the room we found that the boy had gone off through, the window. We searched the farmyard without finding any trace of him, and then Mr Hobson and my brother got into the van intending to look for him down the road.”

According to both the Mullins brothers, Mr Hobson had driven the van only a distance of 100 yards from the farmhouse when a shot rang out and a bullet drilled a hole in the bodywork of the vehicle just above Mr Hobson’s head. “The boss stopped the van,” Clifford Mullins said. “I told him not to get out, but he would not listen to me. He stood at the side of the drive with his hand shading his eyes, looking out over the paddocks in the direction from which the sTiot had come. But Avithin a few r seconds another shot came. Just at that time I think my brother and I both saw ‘Sonny’ Hobson in the paddock about 50 or 60 yards away, with bis gun to his shoulder. We both called out to Air Hobson, but we were too late. He dropped almost as we called out with a bullet wound right between his eyes.” RUSHED TO DOCTOR.

The two young men at that moment did not give another thought to young Hobson. They could see their employer was still alive, and as carefully as possible they, placed him in the van and then drove as fast as they could to Papatoetoe, where Mr Hobson was attended by Dr. Gilbert. By that time Mr llobson was unconscious, and Dr. Gilberd, after dressing the wound, in which the bullet was still lodged, ordered an ambulance and had him sent to the hospital. The shot had apparently been fired from an angle, and the bullet, entering at the forehead, had travelled in the direction of the ear.

The police were notified, but no arduous search for young Hobson was necessary. Noel Mullins directed the constables to the spot from which he had seen the second shot fired, and about 20 yards further back the boy’i body was discovered lying on the grass. A bullet had passed right through his head, and the pea rifle was lying on. the ground beside him. Young Hobson was wearing only a shirt and trousers, and was in liis stockinged feet. A search revealed a bicycle and overcoat hidden in a paddock nearer the road, while his shoes were later discovered hidden behind a hedge at the rear of. the house. It was subsequently established that the boy had cycled from the city, arriving at the farm only a few minutes after his father’s return from the city.

Mr Hobson is an Englishman; who has been in New Zealand for a number of years. He saw active service with the East Lancashire Regiment in France, and had a notable war record. Since coming to Auckland he has been engaged in dairy farming at Howick and Manurewa, and took over his present farm on a lease about five year» ago.