THE RAZOR TRAGEDY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21467, 15 April 1933, Page 8

THE RAZOR TRAGEDY

BROKEN ENGAGEMENT MAN ALREADY MARRIED STATEMENT BY GIRL'S FATHER [by telegraph —OWN correspondent] PALMERSTON NORTH, Friday Further particulars of incidents connected with the double tragedy in Palmerston North on Wednesday night were supplied in an interview by Mr. W. G. Motley, father of Miss Helen (Nella) Motley, who was found in tho back-yard at her parents' residence at the point of death, fatal throat injuries having been inflicted apparently with' a razor. Arthur Soley, to whom Miss Motley had recently been engaged, was found in a similar condition-. Both died shortly afterwards. Mr. Motley said that his daughter had been keeping company with Soley for about twelve months, and the pair had been engaged since Christmas. They were 'about to be married but last week certain events transpired to place this beyond possibility, and the engagement was broken off. Not a great deal was known about Soley, who was stated to have been normally quiet and inclined to be uncommunicative. Soley resided in Broadway Avenue and in about 1915 was engaged as a mechanic in a garage, a position he occupied during the war and which he left in 1920. He then returned to Australia but came back to New Zealand recently. He had not been engaged iu any employment for some months, having come to Palmerston North in May last after having worked 011 a farm at Pongotea. The Wedding Invitations Mr. Motley stated that Soley had deceived the girl right through. Arrangements had been made for the wedding on Monday, and invitations extended to personal friends, but early last week Soley told Miss Motley that he would not be going 011 with it. Pressed for an explanation, he would say nothing beyond the fact that he "had his reasons." On April o Soley said to Mr. Motley, "I will tell you straight why I cannot get: married. My wife and children are not dead." It had been understood by the Motley family that Soley was a widower, as he had said his wife was dead, and buried at Goulburn, in Australia. When he made the statement that she was alive, he said that he had hoped to secure a divorce. v Following upon this the engagement was immediately cancelled and Sir. Motley ordered Soley off the premises, telling him not to come back. They came to blows, but Soley left and as he departed said to Mr. Motley, "I will fix you. I will see you again." Mr. Motley informed Soley that he would not see him. Nothing further was seen of Soley, stated Mr. Motley, until Wednesday evening. When the two girls were coming down the stairs Soley called out to Nella, whom he knew as Peggy, "Peggy, come here a minute." He spoke in a low voice.. Mrs. Speir (tho girl's sister) stated to her sister, "Don't go, it is Soley," but Miss Motley went out. Bloodstains on Concrete Mr. Motley said that he considered, from bloodstains on the concrete at tho back door, that Soley had killed Nella, then injured himself and knocked loudly on the door to attract attention. He then staggered over to the place where he fell. Mrs. Motley said Soley was in love with her daughter, but had deceived them all the time. There had been no reason to suppose he would contemplate such a deed. Miss Motley was a pretty girl of a rather striking type. The family came to Palmerston North from Dannevirke about two years ago. An inquest was opened on Thursday., for the purposes of formal identification and was adjourned.