MURDER AND SUICIDE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21471, 20 April 1933, Page 11

MURDER AND SUICIDE

TRAGEDY AT TEA ROOMS WOMAN AND MAN EVIDENCE AT INQUEST [by telegraph—OWN correspondent] PALMERSTON NORTH, "Wednesday Verdicts that Margaret Ellen (Nella) Motley, aged 24, was murdered by Arthur (Bert) Soley, aged 39, and that Soley committed suicide the same evening were returned by the district coroner, Mr. A. J. Graham, at tho inquest into the tragedy which occurred last Wednesday night at Palmerston North. The cause of death in both cases was throat injuries. The tragedy occurred at the back of tho premises in which the San Toy tea rooms are situated in Rangitikei Street. Tho young woman's father, Mr. W. G. Motley, is the proprietor of tho tea rooms.

Mrs. Edith Speirs stated in evidence that sho was a sister of Miss Motley and resided at Lyall Bay, Wellington. On April 12 sho was in Palmerston North, and in the evening dressed with her sister for a dance. They came downstairs, and when they reached tho bottom witness heard a voice call out, "Peggy, Peggy, I want you for a moment." "Peggy" was a pet name of her sister. They both entered the pantry, but her sister went straight out again. Two minutes later witness heard a banging noise, and said to her father, "You Jiad better go down there. Nella is there with Soley." Witness had recognised the voice which called out in the passage as Soley's. Engagement Broken Off Soley had been engaged to her sister, continued witness. Arrangements had been made for the marriage on Easter Monday, but when ho told her he was a married man she promptly broke off the engagement. Soley did not tell her sister he was a married man until the date of the marriage had been fixed. Her sister had known Soley for some time.

Evidence was given by William George Motley, proprietor of the San Toy tea rooms, that his daughter had been engaged to Soley. On April 6 lie spoke to Soley about the latter's relationship to his daughter, and asked him why he was not going to marry her. Soley said, "J. have my own reasons." Witness then hit him and ordered him off the premises. Just before leaving Soley said, "That is quite all right, old man, I will deal with you later." On the night of the tragedy witness saw Soley passing the place at 6.30 p.m. Witness was in the pantry at 7.45 p.m., when his two daughters came in. Nella went out again.

Witness said he then heard a knockins noise. His other daughter said, "Nella is talking to Soley. Maybe they are having an argument. You had better go out and see." The back door was shut, but witness opened it. He could see nothing. He struck a match and found the two bodies lying in the yard. He called assistance and then summoned the police and a doctor. Witness saw Constable Barrett pick up a razor which was lying near Soley's head on the right side, in such a position as to indicate that it had fallen from his hand.

"End Deliberately Planned" Constable Barrett said that at 7.50 p.m. he received a telephone message that a murder had been committed at the tea rooms. He immediately went there and found the girl dead in the pantry. He went outside and in the backyard found Soley lying near the back door. He "was still alive, though critically injured. Near his hand witness found an old blade razor, and later he found an empty razor case in Soley's coat. From his own observations, witness said, he was satisfied that Soley murdered the girl and. then inflicted fatal injuries on himself. AVitness was satisfied ttfat Soley prearranged the crime some days ahead. This was indicated by his disposal of all belongings, which could not be traced, in spite of exhaustive inquiries. Witness had searched Soley's room and all secondhand shops, but could not find any tiace of clothing. Further police evidence was given. "It seems quite clear from the evidence," said the coroner, after returning the verdicts, "that the unfortunate girl was the victim of an unscrupulous man, who posed as a widower, and hecamo engaged to her although well knowing he was not in a position to marry her.' Having in the end confessed his deception, lie apparently brooded over the affair and deliberately planned to end both their lives. After ending the girl's life Soley immediately afterwards ended his own worthless existence. Just exactly what motive led to the enactment of the tragedy it is impossible to say."