The Hammon Family.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIX, Issue 78, 23 July 1914, Page 5

The Hammon Family.

BOARD! MG-HOUSE TRAGEDY SHOCKING CASE OF MURDER. [Pke Press Association 1 Whangarei, July 22. At the inquest concerning the death of Mary Hammou, the victim of the boarding-house tragedy yesterday, the evidence of a sou, aged 13, showed that his ..parents quarrelled three weeks ago, because the father did not like his mother joking with the boarders. The witness’ father lent his mother some money, and his father was annoyed because she did not return it to him, and he declined to go to work until it was paid. The night before his mother was killed, his father rolled ‘up his swag and said he was going to Kawakawa in the morning. On Tuesday morning, witness and his father, who slept in a tent in the grounds, got up at four o’clock, and asked his mother for money for the journey. His mother refused, and his father got the axe, and when the mother’s back was turned he struck her on the head. Site screamed and fell backwards. His father then struck her two ot< three times as she lay on the floor, and left the axe buried in her diead. His father then shouted “goodbye” and rushed out of the house. His mother uttered no sound save a low moaning after the first blow.

Arthur Hammon, aged 15, said his parents quarrelled a good deal at times. His father had two weeks previously threatened to “do for” witness for taking his mother’s part.

A medical witness said that the axe was extracted with difficulty. W. Woods, a boarder, said the deceased had told him three Avoeks ago that her husband had threatened her again. Sergeant Moore stated that Hammon, on arrest, said, “It was done for the best. It was done for the children’s sake. She said I wouldn’t work, and she Avas cruel to tlio children, It Avill all come out uoav.” The coroner said it Avas a shocking case. A verdict of “wilful murder.” Avas returned', and the accused Avas brought before the Court and so charged. He Avas remanded until Monday.