SHOCKING DOUBLE MURDER.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 10223, 29 August 1896, Page 5

SHOCKING DOUBLE MURDER.

MAN AND HIS WIFE STABBED TO

DEATH.

ROBBERY SUPPOSED TO BE THE

MOTIVE,

AN ARREST MADE.

[By TELEGRAPH,-- association.] Wellington, Friday. News has been received that Mr. and Mrs. Jones, who kept a shop at Petone, at the head of the harbour, were found murdered this morning. The place was robbed and it is supposed the thief was the culprit. Jones was formerly manager for Plaisted, ironmonger, at llokitiKa an I Christchurch. He kept a grocery store in Jackson-street, and lived on the premises. The murdered couple had no family with them. Between nine and ten o'clock last niehfc a Mrs. Atkinson went for a tin of cocoa, but, though a light was burning, she could make no one hear.

About eight this morning Mrs. Hounslow went in. The lamp was still burning, and she saw a man lying dead on the floor, and ran out screaming ' Murder.' Godfrey, one of the railway workshop employees, ran up and found both Jones and his wife brutally murdered. The man had three stabs in the back. Both were fully dressed, and were not in the bedroom, whence it is inferred tho deed was done last night. Mrs. Jones was covered with blood, and also had a cut on one hand from a sharp instrument, but no weapon was found.

A number of neighbours reside all round, but at present no one .appears to have heard anything. Robbery is supposed to havo been the motive for the crime. It is known that some time ago Jones was in possession of a considerable sum of money. The woman was lying in a pool of blood, which at first gave rise to a report that her throat was cut, but a cursory examination fails to show any wound, and it is thought the woman may have burst a blood vessel through the shock or in an effort trying to escape. Nothing was taken from the honse so far as is known.

Later.

A man named James Shore, employed on the Stopbank contract at Petone, has been arrested on suspicion of being connected with the tragedy. It is supposed that the murder took place somewhere between seven and nine o'clock last night, as a girl, who called at the shop about nine o'clock to make a purchase, could make no one hear, though she saw a light burning. Jones was stabbed below the nape of the neck, right over the Spine; also a little lower down to the left of the spine; and there was a third wound still lower down on the right of the spine. A quantity of pepper had been thrown in his face, while there wa3 a quantity of loose pepper strewn round the room. Jones' body was found in the kitchen, and that of the female victim in the passage leading from the kitchen.

There was no indication of a struggle, and on the kitchen table were the remiins of a meal, apparently tea, which had been laid for two people. A kerosene lamp waft still burning. Deceased leaves two grown-up daughters, both married, Mrs, Kerr, of Blenheim, being one, and Mrs. Wade, of Invercargill, the other.

Jones was aged 64, and did nob enjoy the beat of hoaltii. Mrs. Jones was six years older, and frail of stature. The deceased couple lived very happily, and were highly respected by residents in Petone, were they were doiug business in a general store.

An examination of the body of Mrs. Jones this afternoon shows that she, too, died from stabbing.

There is but little doubt that the motive for the crime was robbery, as the cash-box kept on the premises is missing The culprit or culprits, however, could not have got away with much money, as evidence has bean procured that late in the afternoon of yesterday deceased was unable to cash a cheque for a small amount; but as accounts are usually paid on Thursday evening by Petone residents, this may have led up to the crime,

The young man James Shore, who has been arrested on suspicion, is a labourer well known in Potone, where he formerly played as a member of the ketone Senior Football Team. He was formerly employed as a boner in the Gaar Meat Company, and is aged 27. Shore was brought into town this evening, A coroner's inquest was opened this afternoon, but after the jury viewed the bodies ah adjournment was made until Monday morning.

Latest. Inspector Pender and Detectives (/'ampbell ami Weill, with a posse of constables, have been at Petone all day endeavouring to unravel the mystery. The polieo theory is that the motive was undoubtedly robbery, and the perpetrator must, have been aware that Thursday was pay day by the several factories in the district.

Jones, they say, was in the habit of remaining open a little later on Thursday evening*, and it 1 is believed that tho shop was closed about 7.30. The aged couple then retired to the kitchen, and were about to partake of light refreshments when they met with their untimely deaths. The only unlocked door which led into the shop and dwelling (combined) was the kitchen door, and through this an entrance was made upon them. That murder Was not the uppermost intention is evident from the fact that an attempt was first made to affect the sight of the male victim by casting pepper in his face. Then possibly the murderer seeing a chance of being obstructed in his plans, drew a knife, and as the old gentleman was endeavouring to make his way through the sitting room, which led into the shop, he was struck from behind, and died where he fell.

Mrs, Jones, it is thought, seeing tho murderous attaok on her husband, darted through the passage, which struck off at right angles from the room where her husband wa« killed, with tho intention of giving an alarm, but unfortunately only reached as far as the door when she was overtaken by the murderer, who buried his knife deep into her right side. One hand was uplifted as if she had clung to tho door hatidlo until life slowly obbed away, owing to hemorrhage.

Inspector Pender believes that the wholo affair could have lasted only a minute or two,

One of the neighbour's daughter was over at Hie side door of Jones' at 9 o'clock, but there was no response to her knocking, and the h'leets, whose residence was about ten yards distant from that of deceased, state they heard nothing unusual last night. There is a rumour in town to night, however, that a noise was heard in Jones' about the time the murdet was supposed to liavo taken place, and this is being investigated by the police. Tlio medical gentlemen who examined the wounds express the opinion that tho weapon used must have been a very strong one, with a keen edge a.- the cuts are very clean.

Search has been made all day for traces of the mi'sing cash box, but. without success.

Shore, who is in custody, is a werfu l'y built in, ami ha« a wife ami two children. When arrested he was at work en the Stop bank contract, Pctone, and appeared to bo In his usual spirits. Beyond ft remark that he was in liquor the previous night, he mado no statement, and while being convoyed to town this evening he chatted on general subjects, but made no reference to the charge on which he wns arrested,

The police state that they have endeavoured to trace the movements of Shore, last night, and that they have evidence that he was seen near the scene of the murder, but too much importance cannot, bo attached to this, as fie lived near the Jones'.

Enquiries confirm the accused's statement that he was in liquor last evening, also the fact that one hotel had declined to serve him.

When arrested no money was found on Shore.

The prisoner will be charged to morrow, but a remand will be asked for.