FIENDISH MURDER OF GIRL

NZ Truth, Issue 1276, 15 May 1930, Page 7

FIENDISH MURDER OF GIRL

SAVAGELY KILLED WHILE LYING IN BED "SHE WAS LOVED BY EVERYBODY AND WAS A GREAT PAL" GLADYS CROMARTY'S BEST FRIEND TALKS TO "TRUTH"

(From "N.Z. Truth's" Wanganui Representative.) There was nothing to warn Gladys Cromarty, the victim of the Wanganui .murderer, when she left the pleasant company of her mother and sister m the kitchen of "their home, with a . laugh on her lips and some joking comment, that, m going upstairs to her bedroom, she was placing herself within reach of death. Just what happened m the girl's room m the short space of time intervening between her departure from her mother's company and the terrible moment when, staggering m through the kitchen door with a gaping wound m her throat, Gladys col- • lapsed at Mrs. Cromarty's feet, may never be told.

Meredith read: "Wife had stroke this morning. Writing. Arthur." That Avas the first message Mrs. Stuck received, and she said she replied by telegram, saying: "Very sorry; missed mail. All being altered here. Can you please wire me to-day or Thursday £5. Two letters Thursday for you. Received wire. Sympathy. I want to return. Lonely. Love. Georgie." ' "In reply," continued Mrs. Stuck, "I received a money order telegram for that siim. I cashed it and used the money to return to Auckland. My brother and my daughter met me at the station when I returned. "On the Saturday morning I went to the Y.W.C.A. and met Munn outside the hostel m Queen Street. He had his car, and drove me to keep an appointment. I asked him how his Avife Avas, and he said she Avas easier. He thought she had had a stroke on the" Monday Avhile she Avas preparing a meal. If he hadn't caught her, she would haA r e fallen. "On the Sunday, Munn drove my daughter and I to see the Catholic College at Northcot,e, Avhere I was seeking a position. Later I arranged to meet him that night, and my daughter and I went to tea and Munn went home. My daughter returned to Auckland to nost a letter Munn had given her from Mrs. Munn. "When I met Munn, we drove doAvn the main road and I returned to the Y.W.C.A. at 9 o'clock." "I asked him how his wife was on SundaA' afternoon," jsaid Mrs. Stuck, "and he told me he was Avorried. I saw him at the Y.W.C.A. on the Monday by arrangement. It Avas some time after 10 a.m. "HE BROKE DOWN" "I had to take over my personal belongings to the hostel at Takapuna. We reached there about half-past eleven. "Talking of his wife's illness, he said he didn't think the doctor understood her condition, and he Avould call another doctor m." Mr. Meredith: When did you see Munn next? — About, seven or a little after on Tuesday night, at the college. "I didn't know he was coming," continued Mrs. Stuck. "I spoke to him and he didn't reply. I asked him what was wrong. He was very distressed. He broke down, and said his wife was gone. I said, 'Don't tell me that.' „ "I didn't see him on the Wednesday, but I saAv him on the Thursday night, when he came to the college. I opened the Moor to him." Mr. Meredith: What did he ( say?— He asked me if I Avould like to see his children. "The funeral was that afternoon," resumed Mrs. Stuck. "I went m. his car to the house. He asked me if I Avould come and keep house for him. I think it Avas at the house. I said it Avould be impossible. "Later I said I Avould, and I gave a week's notice to Father Zanna on the Friday night." Mr. Meredith: Who was m the house on the Thursday night?— Only "the two children. His Honor: Hoav long were you at the house? — Not long, sir. I left the hostel on the Saturday evening. Munn took my daughter and me to his house. Mr. Meredith: Did you know there was an inquest on Mrs. Munn? — Yes, I think Munn told me. I was very surprised. I asked him how she had died, and he said he thought by poison and that she had done it herself. He asked me not to tell anyone that there had been an inquest. "I undertook the charge of the house from the Saturday," Mrs. Stuck continued her stoi*y. "My daughter did not take up her home m the house. She staj'ed twice. I stayed as housekeeper to Munn for three Aveeks." Mr. Meredith: You Avere there the day Munn Avas arrested? — Yes. , Was there any discussion of marr'age'? — Mr. Munn . asked me lf, for the sake of the children, I would marry him. because neople would talk about her being, m his home. Mrs. Stuck added that she refused marriage, as her first marriage had not been a happy one and Munn should see other women first, while it Avas too soon after the death of his Avife. "I think this was the second week^ I Avas there." she told the court. Mr. Meredith: Did you have a wedding ring of your first marriage? — Yes. It Avas m my handbag. Mr. Munn said, "I notice you are not wearing your Avedding ring." I shoAved it to him, nnd he said he Avould keep it until he bought me one himself. He did not tell me what he Avas going to do Avith it. Later Mrs. Stuck found it, she said, m a drawer. At this juncture the lights failed, and Mr. Meredith's^ examination was held un for a time, but 'he resumed m the twilight. Mrs. Stuck Avent on to speak out or the darkness, and said she had found the ring m the little duchess m th* double room. The night of the discussion on the wedding ring was the same day as Munn asked her- to marry him. "He told me he thought enough of me to marry me," said Mrs. Stuck. His Honor: Were ybu sure the wed-' ding ring you found belonged to you? Yes. Mrs. Stuck detailed the neAV furnishings Avhich had been bought after her arrival — blinds for the front room and linoleum, Avhich witness chose. The old lino could easily have been mended, she thought. V The lights came on at ten to five, and Mr. Meredith, saying he might have missed something m the darkness, the court adjourned until Wednesday. ,

ON that fateful Friday there was no hint of impending tragedy at the Cromarty home at No.' 6 E!idgeAvay Street, Avhere the mother and her two daughters, Gladys and Dora, were engaged m household duties m the kitchen. There had been a happy reunion, the younger girl, Gladyß, haA'ing returned from Wellington, and all three were laughing and joking as they Avent about their domestic duties. Apparently there was nothing m the nature of trouble m the house, eA'en though Herbert Frederick Manley, to Avhom Gladys, aged 21, had been engaged, a.nd Avho had subsequently broken off the bond, had returned also from Wellington and was a guest m the house. Shortly before 3.30. p.m., Gladys, with a laughing comment to her mother and sister /Dora, intimated that she intended to go' upstairs to her room to rest. The .girl's room fronts Rldgeway Street. Soon after her daughter went to her room, Mrs. Cromarty heard a dull thud, but paid no attention to it, and went on placidly ironing. A minute later the kitchen door opened, and. to Mrs. Cromarty's horror, Gladys staggered m covered with blood and collapsed near the kitchen table. There Avas a gaping: wound m the girl's neck, and Bhe lay at her mother's feet bleeding profusely. Even as Mrs. Cromarty knelt to do what she could for her girl, clattering footsteps sounded on the stairs, and Manley dashed from the house and into RidgeAvay Street. He Avas seen to hurry away along to Wilson Street, and thence to Taupo Quay and the GasAvorks. Distracted with grief, Mrs. Cromarty followed Manley into the street, screaming: "He's after my bairn, he's after my bairn. Won't anyone help me?" * Gladys, after her superhuman effort to reach her mother's side, had apparently not lived much longer than a few seconds, and when a neighbor,

Mrs. McDougall, who had heard the frantic calls, dashed into the home, the girl was dead. While Mrs. McDougall did Avhat she could for the stricken mother, other neighbors communicated Avith the police and a doctor. Dr. Adams- Avas soon on the scene,, and confirmed Avhat had become obvious to the neighbors and to the unfortunate mother — Gladys Cromarty Avas beyond human aid. Meamvhile the police, as soon as they received the information, commenced a search of the neighborhood. The search was continued until 6 o'clock, when suddenly all searchers were recalled, and the news went round that Manley had walked into the police^ station and given himself up, with the remark, "I'm the man you're looking for." A chef's knife, on which Avere stains believed to be those of human blood, was found m a cattle-stop m the yard of the Wanganui Sash arid Door Company, fronting Taupo Quay, Manley, Avho is a chef by occupation, was charged Avith murdering Gladys Cromarty. Tapering from one and a-half inches at its Avidest part to a razor keen edge and sharp point, the whole blade is six inches long. Just Avhat took place m that upstairs room may never be known. Certain it is that the girl carried out her stated intention of resting, because r.he Avas found m a partly disrobed [state, and lying «n &• bs.<3v was *

novel, "Red Pepper." The book was spattered Avith blood. Apparently the unfortunate victim had barely settled herself on the bed to read, when her assailant entered the room. The mother, while she remembers distinctly hearing a dull thud was not alarmed by anything resembling a scream. The fact stands out, therefore, clearly that Gladys Cromarty was either asleep when attacked, or she had no time to scream before her assailant threw himself upon her wielding the terrible knife. Of a bright and sunny disposition,' the dead girl had been Avorking as a Avaitress m "Wellington and intended tp return to the capital city on the Saturday. Her mother, a widow from Scotland, had only been In the Dominion about a year, the family residing first on Durie Hill and vacating it recently to take up residence m the Ridgeway "Street home. Some time ago the girl met Manley at Mr. G. M. Currie'a farm where both Avere employed arid .m time their friendship ripened into affection, and the pair became engaged. This was announced about three months ago, but shortly afterwards the engagement Avas broken off and the girl Avent to Wellington. Manley followed her there and also went into employment. Though the engagement Avas broken off recently, the pair were still . friendly, Manley being described by those who kneAV him as a genial companion.. When Gladys came from Wellington to A'isit her ' mother, Manley also turned up at the home from Wellington and was made welcome. ; "What transpired between the young woman and Manley was only a matter for conjecture, but eA'idently she had not decided to patch , up the quarrel, as certain letters indicate. Before entering the employ of Mr. G. M. Currie, of Kai-iwi, Gladys Avorked at Foster's Hotel as a waitress j for some month*.

Miss Olive Dennis, head waitress of Spriggon's Hotel, describes the dead girl as a charming personality, possessing many fine qualities. Her love for her mother was an outstanding* feature of her character and she never failed to put away £1 each week from her wages m order that the home might be comfortbly furnished. Her charming disposition endeared her to all her workmates. Miss Vera Campbell, of 92 Webb Street, Wellington, told "Truth" that she had known Gladys Cromarty for four years, and was her most intimate friend. . , < "She was one of the best-living girls I have known, and a great pal," said Miss Campbell. "She was loved by everybody who knew her well and her devotion to her own family was something I shall always remember." Miss Campbell added that she had first met Gladys In Wanganui about four years ago, when the girl was living with her eldest sister Dora. Dora had come to New Zealand first and had later brought out Gladys, the second child, and her brother Norman. Later the other members of the family came to the Dominion. "Six weeks ago , Gladys came to Wellington," Miss Campbell went on to say, "and she went to work at the New Zealander Hotel, Manners Street. "Manley, Avlio had come to Wellington about the same, time as Gladys, obtained a job at the Berkeley Private Hotel, Oriental Bay. "Later Manley want to vrork at $h«

New Zealander Hotel, and both he and Gladys were employed there at the same time. It was while they were there that the engagement was broken off. "Gladys found out that Manley was a . married man. She had heard this from friends of his and challenged him with it, and finally she said to him, M am going to finish the engagement.' "Gladys ■ came down home to me," continued Miss Campbell— and paused m Avistful retrospection for a moment — "and she was crying bitterly. She t confided certain things to me regarding the treatment Manley was giving her." ■ - - Speaking of Gladys's engagement to Manley, Miss Campbell said that before her friend .met the chef, she had been keeping company -vrtth a young man who .thought a great deal of her. Their asspciatiori had lasted nearly' a year before the advent of Manley on the scene. "WAS CRYING" "Gladys met this" young felloAV again on Anzac Day m Wellington, and as the result of their conversation they ■• both discovered , that the misunderstanding which had caused the end of their friendship was due to lies that had been told to each of them con- ( cerning the other, by a certain person," added Miss Campbell. "Gladys told me that when she in- | formed the young man that she had broken with Manley he asked her to [ make jt up with him, because he waa concerned for her happiness. But Gladys refused to agree to doing this and the young fellow. then said, 'Oh, . well, if you still think of going out '. Avith me again Avrite me at the end of the month.' ' : " ■' | "He begged her. not to let the engagement with Manley end if she still thought enough of the latter to want ; to marry him." Gladys had told Manley, said Miss Campbell, of her meeting Avith her oldtime friend. The Monday after Anzac Day was Gladys's day off, and she arranged to meet the young man and have afternoon;tea Avith.him that day. They 'met as 'arranged, and at this meeting he again, asked Gladys to make it up with Manley. "I think Gladys must have told him then about Manley being married," went on Miss Campbell. "On the Monday Gladys left me a note,^saying she would meet me on the Tuesday. She came to the house crying, and told me something that Manley had said to her." Gladys had gone home on the. Wed-, nesday — about three AA r eeks ago— and on the Saturday Miss Campbell had met Manley, who told her he waa going to get a job on one of the coastal boats as cook. When the subject of the broken- engagement was mentioned between them, he had told Miss Campbell that.i Gladys was too young to know her own mind. After her. friend ,h£.d- come toi her crying, Miss Campbell . advised her to consult a doctor, because of her nerA'es. The doctor confirmed Miss Campbell's suspicions that Gladys Avas on the verge of a breakdoAvn, and ordered the girl to drop all work and go home. She refused to stay, at Miss Campbell's place, preferring to go back to her mother at Wanganui, but expressed the intention of returning to Wellington at the end of the month. Shortly after Gladys had gone back home Miss Campbell receded a letter from her, .mentioning Manley's arrival and adding that she .was. going to New Plymouth. "I think Gladys came down *• Wellington originally with the intention of breaking off the engagement," added Miss Campbell. Some two years ago, when Gladys Cromarty m Wellington, she worked for"*tAA'o months at King's Private Hotel. "She was a splendid worker," said Mrs. C. M. Brough, the licensee of the New. Zealander • Hotel, when interviewed, "and a nice, quiet decent girl, with' a very fine disposition. I was sorry to lose her, but for health reasons she left my service." ' A. SLIGHT MAN According to an English cable, Man'ley was separated from his wife. His Avife's first knowledge of the tragedy Avas, she 'states, received from the Press. She intimated that she was not surprised as she had had a premonition on the Friday that something dreadful was going to happen. Her marriage, she states, was an unhappy wartime one, and m 1925 she bbtained a separation when she and her two little boys hail been dependent on the poor law guardians for eight months. She had last heard from her husband from Rio Janeiro m 1928 when he had written her suggesting a fresh start m life and saying, "If you do not agree I shall go through marriage with a pretty fair-haired girl. She is only j tAA-enty-three. but she has been I diA-orced, and is now imploring me to take her aAvay." ;■_•, Mrs. Manley had not replied to the letter and would not haA'e done so even if- it had not contained a threat. When he appeared m court Manley was represented by Mr. B. C. Hoggitt: A slight man,, aged 38, about 5 feet 5 inches m height, of sallow complexion, he appeared worn out and haggard. A remand was granted until May 17. An unusually large croAvd was on hand at the, courthouse to see the accused man. The inquest opened before Mr. J. H. Salmond, S.M., coroner, and was adjourned after formal e\-i---dence of identification was given. The < post-mortem examination reA'ealed ' that the left jugular vein had been • j severed.