MAROHEMO TRAGEDY

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVII, Issue 10812, 31 January 1921, Page 4

MAROHEMO TRAGEDY

STOBY AT THE IHQUEST ARREST OF NEEDHAM AND CHARGE OF' MURDER. “I’VE GOT YOU NOW.” (Special to “X.Z. Times.”) AUCKLAND, January 29. The adjourned inquest on the body of William Needham was held before* the coroner, Jlr J. B. Ariell and the Police Court prelimiiviry trial . was before Messrs H .Cullen and T. Healey, J.P.’s. Detective Dr Norville represented the police and Mr Endean appeared for accused. Winifred Needham, a single woman of 20 years, residing with her parents, said that she got up at 6.30 a.m. Shortly afterwards accused and deceased went to tile cowshed to milk, and she followed later. After milking had ended her father and brother started separating, while she went to feed the calves. Deceased carried two tins of milk to the calf pen. about hall a chain away. She passed him returning. While at the calf pen she heard accused say* “Damn you, I’ve got you at last.” Witness ran to the sned and saw her brother lying on the floor with her father standing between the engine and the door striking her brother with something and also shrieking and yelling. She noticed that her* brother had a bleeding wound on the hack of his head. She Van up the paddock screaming and then returned to the separator room'. Accused was still striking the boy. She went a little distance from the shed and saw her father leave in the direction of the house. As he passed he said, “Don’t follow me.” R’itness went to where her brother was lying on his chest with his head, to one aide. He was breathing heavily and his head was covered with blood. She put her apron under his head and left the shed. She met her -mother coming down and returned with her. Her mother spoke to the boy, but received no answer. Witness saw her father standing under a willow tree near the house. Blood was running down his clothing and he was throwing his arms around frantically. Witness next saw her father in bed. •As she passed he called to her and she weat in and asked, “Why did yon do it?” Accused said, “Billy swore at me.” He added that he was carry he had brought her -to this, and asked her for some poison. She then left and went, with her sister (Mrs McPherson) towards the well, as she noticed, her -father’s clothes were wet and muddy. The boards over the well were covered with blood and a batcher’s knife was sticking in the bank. This she and her sister threw in the well. When she returned to the house her father had rone ho the hospital. CHASED WITH A KNIFE. Examined by Mr Endean, witness stated that some words oould have passed between father and eon while she -was at the calf pea without her hearing -them, ns the separator was going. Her father was liable to fits of excited temper. He was worried last season about farm matters, and she had seen him crying often end swearing and quoting Scripture. About a year ago ho- brother Matthew fired some shots. He said this was to frighten accused, as he had chased them out of the house a knife. Mary Elizabeth McPherson, a married woman, daughter of accused, said that she was on a visit to the farm. At about 8 am. 'on the 16th she heard moaning from the direction, of the cowshed, and saw her father coming up the paddOck. She told her mother that something had happened- She got a rifle and met her father and asked him what he had done. He said, “Go, look for \ynradf.” "He asked her to shoot him, and passed into the house by the back door. She went in by the Dent. Accused was at a drawer in the kitchen getting a knife. She Struck him on the head with the rifle to stun him, and prevent further damage. Someone then took the rifle from her. Accused went ir the direction of the well, and later she saw him returning looking very helpless and fitful, waring his arms.. The -front of his clothes was red. Witness went with her sister to the well to look ifor the knife, and saw tbe same as tJ* 'previous witness. Constable Bbag said that he woe doing dirty at the Warn when ho received a oaß, and retained at cure. He saw deceased at the shed, and described his wounds, etc. Later he placed accused under arrest at the hospital. A penned told witness'how the tragedy occurred. This concluded tbe inquest, and the ..coroner’s jury found that . W9am Rawlins Needham met b® death through shock, caused by laceration of the brain from blows on the bead wilfully inflicted by his father, Thomas Needham. - FILLED WITH REMORSE. Rosina Catherine Reynolds, a single woman, staying at Needham’s borne, stated that about 9 a.m. accused oame into the kitchen very excited. He went bo the draw where the cutlery was kept, and took a knife. She snatched this from him. He said be wanted another knife, and took a knife and a steel. She tailed to stop Idm, but he pushed her aside. Witness told him to be careful, as the children were rixnt. 'Accused said I am not going to Uwti the ohildreo, I am going to touch myself- He went out sharpening the kiafe on the steel. Prior to bis leaving lies McPherson struck him two Unn Math the rifle, and witness palled thfe rifle from her. The blows had no effect. About 9.20 a.m. die saw accused return. He was bleeding fran the throat, and his. clothes were wet and muddy. He stood at the door for a moment, and then went away, fihe next saiw him in bed. James Grey Steele, a fanner, 'said his farm adjoined Needham’s. About 8.10 a.m. on the mormng of the tragedy he proceeded to accused's house, where he met accused at the back of the house. He was greatly agitated, and filled with remorse, and was soaking wet. Witness asked what was the matter. He replied that Billy swore at him, and he hot him with a broom. Witness peranaded him to go into the bouse, and take off bis wet clothes He also washed and dressed Ins neck with, a towel, and got into bed. Dr. Dukes said that on his arrival accused was pale from loss of blood and agitated, complaining bitterly that he had killed his son, and weeping. After attending accused witness examined the deooased. Dr. Ward corroborated tile evidence as to the post mortem, and the cause of death. Accused pleaded not guilty, and was committed to the Supreme Court.