MURDER NEAR WELLINGTON.

Southern Cross, Volume 5, Issue 33, 20 November 1897, Page 9

MURDER NEAR WELLINGTON.

About nine or ten weeks ago a young man named Ernest Alfred Hawthorne, who was engaged with Frank Philpott in cutting sleepers in Hutt Valley, Wellington, disappeared, and Philpott, when spoken to about the matter, said that Hawthorne had ‘ cleared out.’ Suspicion was, however, aroused, and on Friday last Hawthorne’s remains were found in a hole on a spur of the Hutt Valley. The body had apparently been doubled up and jumped upon to get it into the hole. Examination disclosed the fact that death had been caused by a bullet wound in the back of the head, in which pieces of lead were found. Deceased’s hat had a hole in the brim, and the medical evidence suggested that he was wearing this on the back of his head when shot. At the inquest a letter was read which purported to have been written by Philpott’s wife at Hawthorne’s dictation. It was dated 13th September last, was addressed to Hawthorne’s sister at Woodville, and stated that he had poisoned his hand, and that Philpott had been very kind to him. A statement was also put in which had been made by Philpott to the effect that Hawthorne bad sold out to him and gone to Dunedin. He got a receipt for the money he paid for Hawthorne’s things, but stated he lost it, and made out another himself. The Coroner commented on this fact, and also referred to the smallness of the amount said to have been paid for the articles. The jury returned a verdict of wilful murder against Philpott, who has several aliases, and who was recently arrested and placed in gaol to await trial on a charge of forgery. He has also confessed to having been guilty of bigamy. He is a native of Taranaki, and aged about 30. Hawthorne was only 21 years of age, and was born in Akaroa, where he has a brother now. His parents are settled near Feilding. He is spoken of as being very steady, industrious, and exceedingly methodical in his habits.