THE MURDER NEAR AUCKLAND

Otago Daily Times, Issue 6495, 6 December 1882, Page 2

THE MURDER NEAR AUCKLAND

(Per United Prkss'. Association,)

Auckland, December sth.

Mary Crowley, aged 10 years, daughter of the Howick murderer, has made the following statement:—" Father went to the shelf where his shirt was, and put it on the_ table. "It was clean, but not starched nor ironed, and he began.ironing it with the cold iron. He seemed very quiet when ironing the shirt, and when ho came into the kitchen all he said.was ' I must not go to Howick.' I went into the front room to go through it to the bedroom to tie my necktie, and when I went in for it he was still ironing the shirt. Mother and father were not then talking. I went into the kitchen and heard no quarrelling between them, but I heard her ask why he did not put on the White shirt that was ironed. This was a new shirt that had never been worn, and he said ' No, I will not put it on.' She made no remark. Then I hnard no more quarrelling, but about 10 minutes after that I heard blows—more than one. I heard her screaming before I heard the blows, but heard no Quarrelling or nagging. She was not scolding him that morning. When he brought in,the iron he said to moth ar, 'Here's your iron,-you can put" it away : '; but she did. not reply. I did not hear either of them speak again after that', .until I heard -the screams .five' minutes after'; then from "the sound I could tell that he had" knocked her down. I ran into the room; inpther was then stretched on the floor near the windowj and I saw father standing up alongside" of her with the iron in his hand. I noticed blood, on her face,'and when I saw it Iran away. 'I/say him strike a blow before "I ran; I did not'see him knock her down; but she lay with.her head towards the- bedroom. When I gotin he was standing near her head; I saw father strike her with the iron on' the face. I only saw the one blow. She was making no noise at that time. When I saw the blood I went to;Frater's, tho manager, and told him I believed that father "had killed my mother. He. was queer in his manner,- and wore his Sunday clothes to work in. It is.not true that she was constantly 'jawing' and 'nagging' him. It was he who was constantly ' jawing' her. She used to say that he spent his money when he went to Howick, and he used to answer her.back. He used to go to Howick sometimes, but seldom got drunk. He had no drink lately; and hadi none that morning. My stepmother ÜBed to treat me very well, and father-had no reason to complajn of her conduct to me. She .scolded ■me sometimes, but on the whole she treateoT'me kindly." I.have no cause'to complain of."-liar. treatment."- . . " ' '■■'.. "

The inquest on the body" of Ellen Crowley, murdered by her husband on Sunday, was held today at Whitford Park, TunangaCreek, byCapt. Kellop. Mr Heskeffi'watched the case for the prisoner, who. was present under police escort; The evidence, of the daughter" went to show that the' affair was a, sudden frenzy ,ori \ her father's part. Mr Hesketh cross-examined the witness to Bet up the plea of temporary insanity. Some of the jurors wanted to add a rider of temporary insanity, but the Coroner told them that was not a question for their consideration, The verdict was one of "Wilful murder " against Crowley. ' ■•■ " . -■■.•■