HORRIBLE CRIME

Stratford Evening Post, Issue 75, 25 June 1928, Page 5

HORRIBLE CRIME

HUSBAND MURDERED. 1 WIFE AND CHILDREN OUTRAGED. PERTH, June 24A crime unparelled for horror in the history of the State is reported from Wubin, a township north of Perth. A man named Clifford Hulme, who wa s employed by a farmer named Harold Eaton Smith, near Wubin, reported to the police that be bad killed Smith. The police investigated and found Smith in the bush with a bullet wound in his head, and that Smith’s wife and six-year-old daughter, and a baby 12 months old, had been violated, the daughter afterwards having had her skull fractured by a blow from ? aj piece of wood. Before Mrs. Smith was (assaulted she was tied to d bod. Hulme is alleged to have stated that immediately after having committed the offences he went to the police station and made a confession. DAUGHTER’S STORY. MOTHER’S ORDEAL. United Press Assn.—By Electric Telegraph Copyright. (Received 9.25 a.m.) PERTH, This Day. Another daughter, Elsie, aged ten years, states that Hulme tried to strangle her when she attempted to intervene. Mrs. Smith was released from the bedpost by Elsie and walked nine miles the next morning to the nearest neighbour, where she collapsed. All the victims are in hospital in a very grave condition. Hulme, who is now under arrest, told the police that he shot Smith while -the latter was driving a tractor. adding that his mind was blank after that. He* remembered changing his clothes, walking twentythree miles to Wubin and then entering Dalvallinu. Hulme was born on Lord Lascelles* estate in England, and has been in Australia for five years. He does not appear to realise the gravity of the charge.—Australian P.A.