SHOCKING TRAGEDY

Colonist, Volume XL, Issue 8746, 21 December 1896, Page 1 (Supplement)

SHOCKING TRAGEDY

NEAR JMOTUEKA. TERRIBLE DEED~ BY MADMAN. [By Telegraph.] [prom oub own correspondent.] Mottjeka, November 29. A horrib'e tragedy took phce io l'angat)tara on Saturday evening last. It appears tbat Mr John Grooby, vvho for the previous 2G months was an inmate tf ihe Nelson Asylum, bat who was permitted to return to his home a fortnight ago, though whether under probation or otherwise has net as yet been definitely asseited, murdered his wife in tbe moft shocking manner, About half past six on Saturday evaning word was brought to the village that the man had murdered his wife. The cDcst.b'e thereupon proceeded with all despatch to tbe place, whioh he reached soon after 7 o'clcck, whan he found that tbo report wa* all too true. Therenpoo he removed Groobp tj tbe lock-up at Motueka, after having previously removed the body to the honse. At the inquest held to day, Sunday, befcre Mr Everet', Coroner, the evidence submitted showed that Grooby'a sister, who resides in the vicinity, heard a ECream and a knooking about at half past five on Saturday tvening. She went to the bakehouse, wbich is situatid atont two chains from Groobv'a house, and saw her brother on bis kaeej beside the body of bis wife, whose head he was chopping wi h something. Sh9 epoke to him, but received no reply, and she then ran away acd put her mo her in % place of safety, and sent io har brother Edward for assistance. The meseenger found Grooby's son and son-in-hw, who, on hastening up, found him walking about beside the body, bet he would no; ope^k. The head was, with the exception of the back part, almoak entirely out awsy and smashei op, blood being bII over Grooby's clothes, face, and hands, while the bakehouse was also bespattered. They stayed with Grooby until the arrival of assistance, when In wood went for tbe constable, who took Lim (o Motueki. It app.ars, as was disolosed by tbe examination made on he following motning (Sunday), that Grooby had used a small firewood axe. Mrs Grooby had evidently just drawn one loaf fara tbe oven when he asm. mitted the assault, and as the poor woman

hold up the baking tin to ward off tho b!owe, she received on it two blows, one of whioh out right through the metal. She then, either by tripping cr else by beiog presEed backward by the force of the blows, fe'l on to her h -ad, whereupon tho man knelt down beside her and absolutely chopped and crushed out of her the very semblance of humanity. «Af ter committing the fearful deed, he appoira to have washed hn bands and faoe, bid down tbe axe beeide tbe washhoune, and patient'y walked backwards and forwards be;ise the body, only onoe or twice speaking, when he told his Bon Alfred tbat he did it with a tomahawk, and aftetwwde that th 9 devil did it. Ho went quietly to Motaeka with tlia Conatahle, and haa continued quiet einoe, ihocgh thin Uiorning he refused all Bolid food, coutentinß himaelf with a little tea. Had there been any sworn evidence before tho jury that ho was only cut on probation, then tbe cause of his conduot migh*} bave been dearer. Failing th"s, however, ihc verdict was one of wilful murder againßt him/ perpetrated while in nn iuear.e state of mind.

Great sympathy is felt for the 1 Jinfortunste, and de3oldte family, and regrets are loudFy expressed that Buoii a dangerous Junatie should ever have been allowed out, though in comer oa fairness it mast bs'rccorded that the I unanimous testimony of tbe family and neighbors is that Grooby's conduot since his liberation was each as to lead none to expeo; or even imagine euoh a horrible outcome.

News of this terrible tragedy was received . in town yesterday morning, and SergU McArdle despatched constables Phaii* arud Kelly to Motueka overland. Some particulars were received from Constable Phair in i the afternoon, and Sergt McArdle learned! from Dr Boor that Grooby had fceen placed three months on probation before, he was released — that is, he was treated as a sane person except that he was kept -watch upon. We are informed that during -the whole of that time he showed no sign of insanity. He was allowed by the Superintendent of the Asylum to look after his little children, and for these he had a groat affection. When released Dr Boor was "onvinced of his sanity, but the release as a * latter of fact was made upon tbe request of his poor wife, now dead, and cf the sons, and with an undertaking that he would be watched. Grooby suffered from religious mania, and was a man of about 55 years of age. He has a family of four, two daughters and two son? all grown up.