Suspected Murder at Auckland.

Otago Witness, Issue 1622, 23 December 1882, Page 30

Suspected Murder at Auckland.

Auckland, December 15th. Warrants have just been issued for the arrest of Miriam Hamilton and.TboinasPriebtly, a Presbyterian btudent, eha gmtr them with the wilful murder of the former's husband (Huuh Ait!<tn Hamilton), who was supposed to have met his death on the night of the 2Sth ulb. by falling with his head foremost upon the {dge of an iron bedotead while in a state of drunkennets. The Coroner's inqvebt resulted in a verdict that the deceased met his death by accidentally falling against an iron bedstead. This, however, did not satisfy the deceased's relatives, and at their instigation the police began to make further investigations. Later. ] The following are additional particulars re the sup- i posed murder of Hugh Aitken Hamilton : — Superintendent Thomson placed the matter in the : hands of Detective Sfcratheara, • and ou Detective Walker's arrival from Duoedin a week ago he was told off for duty. Suspicion pointed to a young man nwned Prieatly. A variety of evidence presumptive, and in some cases direct, wns obtained, tending to show that Prieatly and Mrs Hamilton had been very intimate, that the domestic relations of Mr and Mrs Hamilton had for some time past been of an unhappy character, and that the decea ed had been jealous of his wife. No absolute proof of improper intercourse between the accused pair has been obt-inel, but they were frequently together, and -Priestly bad more than once taken the woman to St. James' Church. In the meantime smi'ieion had got abroad, and had become the subject of common talk, both in the neighbourhood and amongat tho congregation of St James. li< was stated that Priestly had been noticed about Hamilton's house on the nijfht of the 28th ult. In order to ascertain what Prieotly had to say for himbelf, Superintendent Thomson de f «rmined to interrogate him in person, and accordingly a messenger was sent for hiru. He was found between 4 and 5 p m. in the hou?e of Air Alex. Neilson (Hamilton's brother-in-law), in Eden terrace district. Airs Hamilton has been residiug there since the inquest, and Priestly had been making occasional visits there. Priestly readily accompanied the messenger back to the police-station, and was duly questioned. He.made so many contradictory statements, however, that tho superintendent's suspicion** against him were strengthened, and when Mrs Hamilton was seen, and also gave contradictory information, it A'as resolved to lose no further time in proceeding to action. The dwellingplaces of both prisoners were searched, and sufficient evidence was obtained to justify .Superintendent Thomson in issuing a warrant for tho arrest; of both Mr.3 Hamilton and Priestly. In tho woman's house an old and greatly-uicdfAmerican axe was discovered, which to a casual observer presents no unusual appearance. The critical eye of the detective, however, perceived some dull stains upon the blunt edge of the iron head and along a considerable portion of the handle. Both wood and metal looked as if there had been a recent attempt mado to cleanse them, but the assumed effort to erase the suspicioup-looking stains had not been entirely succes-.ful. The officer was besides convinced that they were blood-stains, but this renuins to be shown by a medical analyse. No other traces of blood seem to have been got in or a'- out the house, but there is one other collateral fact bearing upon Hamilton's alleged inebriety tbat is of significance. It has been ascertained that after returning! home ho pl.iced his Orange Lodge books on their accustomed shelf, and in accordance with his habit, also took bis watch from his waistcoat and carefully hung it up. These are looked upon as singularly exact precautions for a drunken man to take. Amongst Priestly's clothing further suspicious evidence was brought to light. A pair of dark tweed trousers, somewhat worn in appearance, were found loosely packed away in his trunk with other clothing, and after a cursory inspection a darkcoloured spot of blood waa detected at the very bottom of ooe leg. The searchers also came acro-a a handkerchief, stained here and there with blood. With this fiesh and highly sinister evidence to hand, Superintendent Thomson determined to stay his hand no longer. Accordingly, warrants were made out this muruinff for the arrest of Mrs Hamilton and Thomas Priestly ou a charge of wilful murder, and Detectives Strathearn and Walker wero commissioned to execute it without delay. The warrant for Prieatly's arrest waa put in execution this afternoon. Priestly was found at his lodging in the dwelling of Mr A. Neilson, Mount Eden, at which bouse Mrg Hamilton also reside*. When the officers made known their business, he made no statement, being apparently fully prepared. Mrs Hamilton was taken into custody later. It would be idle and unfair to recite all the reported incidents alleged atainst the accused. Two, however, which are vouched for on good authority, may rightly bu mentioned. ( One is that Mr Richardson, deputysuperintendent 'of St. James* Sunday-school, met Priestly about 730 o'clock on tha night of the 28th ult. going into a house in Pitt street, and in conversation with him Priestly mentioned he intended to walk out to Onehunga that night. Mr Kiohardson remarked upon the singularity of such an undertaking, but got no explanation of it. They then parted, and on the following morning, when* Hamilton's death was reported, Priestly came to him and reminded him he had said on the previous night he was going out to Onehunga Another circumstance >a that Priestly purchased strychniue on two occ siona prior to Hamilton's death, b-it it cannot be found that he made any use of it. Of course, the news caused agrcati sensation in town, both on account of Priestly'a character and repute as a Sunday-school teacher and theological sludent, and of Mrs Hamilton's relationship to the alleged victim, as well as her supposed connection with the other prisoner. Four years ago Priestly lived near the Mauukau, and, it U stated, was noi in the best of circumstances, but a turn in the wheel of fortune placed him soon in an almost independent potition. It came aboufe in this way. A gentlemau at Awatea, named M'Tier, sold bis estate for a, considerable sum of money and resolved to put it to some useful purpose, and about the same time T. Priestly attracted his notice by BUd« denly leaving the Roman Catholic Church, of which he had been previously a warm supporter.. Priestly turned Protestant. M'Tier decided to lend him a helping hand Ho resolved to send Priestly and another young man to Auckland, and there assist them in their preparation for the ministry. The two came to Auckland about two years ago, and both started to Btudy hard, for neither could boast of any great scholarly attainments. Priestly got employment at the Auckland Timber Mills. Here he remained for 12 months, put suing his studies during the evenings with much energy. He Ja'so during this time became connected with St. James' Presbyterian Church School, the Band of Hope, and other institutions connected therewith, and proved a most active worker in all he undertook. About a year since he ceased manual labour altogether, and devoted himself solely to study. Ho sometimes undertook to condust worship in country churches, and on various occasions preached from the pulpit at Onehunga, Otahuhu, Epsom, and other places. He looks between 24 and 26 years of age, and is rather above the medium height. He ia about the last man suspicion would connect with the crime with which he is now chaiged. Hugh Aitkon Hamilton, the deceased, waa a tall, powerfully-built man, 31 years of age, of florid complexion and mild temper. For many years ho worked with Mesais Sargood, Sou, and JSwon, warehousemen, but for some short time prior to his death was in fhe omployof Archibald Clark and Sons, Sbortla»d srtreet. HetookgrOTifc iatoreffb Jatb.9lToAvtonQra.E79

Society, and held the responsible position of secretary to the Lodge. He also was a regular churchgoer, and attended St. James 1 with great regularity, sometimes in company with his wife or mother, but of tener alono. The Sabbatli -school also occupied a good deal of his time, and he for many years taught a class of boys. For some time he was very zealous in tho work, but tor the last few months of his life he appeared less inclined for it, oud was very irregular in attendance. It h.s been stated he was inclined towards intemperance, but few pemms can be found to oeeert that he was ever unable to take care of himself. That his death bhoukl be caused in any way by oxcessivo drinking wm> difficult for many persons to believe, and gre.it surprise was felt by his friends when the disclosures on this head were made at the inquest. Mrs Miiiam Hamilton, wife of the deceased, who i 8 also suspected to be implicated in this strange and me'ancholy case, is a woman 35 years of ajre, somewhat tall, spare, and possessing rather hard features. As far as can be learned, she lived with her husbaad on good terms &ince their marriage up till a short time ajfo. Then the husband's jealousy led to occasional words. They had t»vo or three children. Mrs Hamilton has throughout the inquiry exhibited little emotion, and, when spoken to on the subject of her husband's death, has answered all questions, and given voluntary statements regarding the circumstances, clearly and with no apparent reserve. Auckland, December 16th. Priestly (who was represented by Mr Tyler) and Mrs Hamilton (by Mr Theo. Cooper) were charged at the Police Court to-day with Hamilton's murder, and remanded till Friday. Priestly was calm, but Mrs Hamilton was much agitated. Priestly has made three state nients, each contradicting the other, re his whereabouts on the night of the supposed murder. Later. Additional particulars re the supposed mur- | der of Hugh Hamilton :—: — Priestly has given three different statements as to where he resided on the night of Hamilton's death. The detectives, on going to the places named, found the statements incorrect—viz., to Onehuuga, Mangare, and fishing at Rangitoto Channel. Priestly stated that on his way back from Onehunga he called in at Morgan's chemist shop, in Karangahapj^ road, about noon, and there learnt of the mufl der. Those who were present said on being! told Hamilton was dead he exclaimed, " What Hamilton ?" and on being answered professed great astonishment and concern ; and then that he hastened away, saying the wife would be in great state, and he must see her. To Mr Sneed he said he had arrived in town from Onehunga during the afternoon. The evidence inculpating Mrs Hamilton also consists in some parts of contradictory statements. While she alleges her husband to have been so drunk when he came home as to have fallen helplessly at full length against the iron bedstead, he is shown to have left the York Hotel at midnight quite sober, and his lodge books were carefully placed away at home, and his watch wound up and removed from his waistcoat. Again, too, there is the statement that he did not reach home till between 1 and 2 a.m. The fact that traces of blood are not discoverable outside the house are also very suggestive circumstances. The wall of Hamilton's bedroom at the foot of his bed has been found to be lightly bespattered with blood, while on Detective Walker arriving at the house on the morning of Hamilton's death he noticed there had been a recent attempt to wash away the traces of blood. He wanted to see Hamilton's clothes, but could not. He says, further, that Mrs Hamilton was not removed from the House in an unconscious state, but that she went into her mother's upon someone recommending her to do so. Great stress is laid upon the discovery of the blood-stained axe. Robert Neilson^Mra Hamilton's brother) found it on the morning of the sad affair lying in a plot of grass between his house and that of his sister, and a little girl says she saw Mrs Hamilton carrying it into her house behind a broom next morning. It is stated by persons well known to the family that Mrs Hamilton a short time ago consulted a solicitor with the object of securing a divorce, and that at the same time she was on very intimate terms with Priestly. The reliability of the statement cannot be vouched for. A more serious matter which is attracting public -attention is the strange coincidence that on the day Hamilton died one of his children also departed this life, and was buried with the father. This becoming publicly known outside, has caused much comment, and now there are not wanting many who assert the suspicion that the child died an unnatural death. The police are called upon to take this additional mystery in hand and unravel it to the satisfaction of all.

The purchase of strychnine by Priestly at Onehunga from Mr Gillman, chemist, on 13th November is alluded to with significance. Henderson, the chemist, whose shop is situated in Queen street, recalls a curious incident which seems to have some bearing on the case. He says : " When I saw the report of the supposed murder case in the papers I recalled to mind an incident which occurred about six or seven weeks ago. A young man answering the description given of Priestly came into my store, and making a few purchases, asked if he could be furnished with some strychnine, as he wished to send it up to a friend of his in the country for the purpose of killing Maori dogs, which were a great nuisance. I replied he could be supplied if he brought a reliable witness. He then left, and two days after, about 7.30 p.m., he again entered the shop with a female, who not being, in my opinion, a reliable witness, I declined to sell it.

James A. Sneed, employed at M'Master's, draper, in Queen street, had an interview with Priestly on the morning of Hamilton's burial, bearing directly on the subject of the supposed murder. Sneed gives this statement :— " It was on the morning of the burial, when I waa in the shop, that Thomas Priestly came in, and in the course of conversation he volunteered the statement that in his opinion Hamilton had been waylaid and thrashed. Ha also remarked, ' You know I was out at Onehunga that night, and did not return till 3 o'clock next afternoon.' He also said, ' Hamilton must have been a strong man, for all along the sides of the passage you could see blood-marks where his hands had been, and it must have been outside the house where ho was struck.' Priestly seemed under the impression that it was not within the building that Hamilton received the cutß, and said he had made particular inquiry of them (meaning, I suppose, Mrs Hamilton and her friends) as to how the doors were left — ■ whether open or closed." It has been already decided to exhume the bodies of Hugh Hamilton and his child, when a careful medical examination can be entered into, and several poiuts at present enveloped in mystery may be effectually cleared up. Priestly has been in the province of Auckland almost since childhood, having come from Hobart. His father was an Englishman, and both his parents are dead. He has a brother resident in Northern Wairoa, Kaipara, and his sister, Mrs Morris, resides in Auckand. It is stated he was at one time servant to Father Paul, of Onehunga. December 17th. The Rev. Peter Mason states that Priestly was not a Presbyterian divinity student, but was studying with him to pass the Arts exa 32 iiiation previous to entering upon minioterial training.