The Auckland Tragedy.

Southland Times, Issue 4496, 7 December 1882, Page 2

The Auckland Tragedy.

4> [By Telegraph.] Auckland, Dec. G. The inquest on Mrs Crowley took place yesto.rday at Whiteford Park farm. Mr Hesketh watched the proceedings on behalf of the prisoner, who seemed the least interested person in the Court. His manner was listless and indifferent. He seated himself on the hol> of the iireplace, and did not move for hours or manifest the slightest comprehension of what was transpiring. Towards the close he apparently wearied of the sitting posture he had assumed. He stood up, and a pitiable object he seemed. His manner was absent, his features pale, and, set off by his dark scrubby whisker.-, their palor seemed greater. The evidence of Crowley'a daughter and others was taken. Several witnesses gave evidence to the effect that since a fall prisoner had sustained a fortnight ago bis manner had been strange. One witness Ambrose Trust, deposed that this change was in his manner as well as his looks. He did not seem to be as lively as lie was .before, or so communicative. He appeared depressed, and to have loat his spirits. Was generally very communicative with witness when they met, but he was not so on tins 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 was repeated last Saturday by Mr Fraser, Mr Hack 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 tive inches long deep into the base of the brain. Close to that and over the right ej c was another triangular wound, four inches wide and four inches deep, also iute the base of the brain. The whole of! the orbit of the rigiit eye was gone, and the forehead was smashed to bits, the roof of the mouth and the upper jaws on both sides and teeth were gone. The lower j-iw was gone on both Bides, and there was not a whole tooth in ht-r head — all were smashed to powder. The first wound would cause instant death. The others were 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.