THE AUCKLAND TRAGEDY.

Patea Mail, Volume VIII, Issue 968, 6 December 1882, Page 3

THE AUCKLAND TRAGEDY.

.[PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.] AUCKLAND, This day. The inquest on Mrs Crowley took place yesterday at Whiteford Park Farm, Mr Hesketh watched the proceedings on behalf of prisoner, who seemed the least interested person in the Court. His manner was listless and indifferent. He seated himself on the hob of the fireplace and did not move for hours or manifest the slightest comprehension of what was transpiring. Towards the close, apparently wearied of the sitting posture be had assumed, he stood up, ’and a pitiable object he seemed to be. His manner was vacant, his features pale, and set off by his dark, scrubby whiskers, their pallor seemed greater. The evidence of Crowley’s daughter, Mr Frater and others was taken. Several witnesses gave evidence to the effect that since a fall prisoner sustained a fortnight ago, his manner had been strange. One witness, Ambrose Trust, deposed that the change was in his manner as well as looks. He did not seem as lively as ho was before, or so communicative. He appeared depressed and to have lost his spirits. He was generally very communicative, but he was not so on this occasion. It appeared to witness that the man’s health was failing, and that he had . suffered some shock. Ten days ago witness advised him to see a doctor, and this was ■repeated during the week, and again it was repeated last Saturday by Mr Frater, Mr Hock and witness. Dr Fitzgerald who examined the body of the murdered woman deposed that there was a large wound on the right temple, a triangular wound four inches wide and five inches long, deep into the base of the brain. Close to that, over the right eye, was another triangular wound four inches wide and four inches deep, also into the base of the brain. The whole of the orbit of the right eye was gone, and the forehead was smashed to bits. The roof of the mouth, upper jaws on both sides, and teeth were gone. The lower jaw was gone on both sides, and there was not a whole tooth in her head.. All were smashed to powder. The. first wound would cause instant death. The others wore given after she was dead. After a verdict of wilful murder had been returned, prisoner had an interview with' his daughter, and the former subsequently made provision for his daughter’s maintenance.