THE PETONE MURDER.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 10706, 31 August 1896, Page 3

THE PETONE MURDER.

♦ I FULLER PARTICULARS.

| PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.] Wellington, August 29. — Inspector Pender and Detectives Campbell and Meill, with & posse of constables, have been in Petoue all day endeavouring to unravel the mystery surrounding the murder of Jones and wife. The police theory is that the motive was undoubtedly robbery, and that the perpetrator must have been aware that Thursday was payday by the several factories in the district. Jones, they say, was in the habit of remaining open a little later on Thursday evenings, and it i« believed that the shop was closed about 7.30. The aged couple had then retired to the kitchen, and were about to paitake of light refreshments, when they met with an untimely death. The only unlocked door which led into the shop and dwelling (combined) was the kitchen door, and through this an entrance was made upon them. I That murder was not the uppermost intention is evident from the fact that an attempt was first made to affect the sight of the male victim by casting pepper in his face. Then, possibly, the murderer seeing a chance of being obstructed in his plans, drew a knife, and as the old gentleman was endeavouring to make his way through the sitting-room, which led into the shop, was struck from behind, and died where he fell. Mrs Jones, it is thought, seeing the murderous attack on her husband, darted through the passage, which struck off at right anglei from the room whera her husband was killed, with the intention of giving the alarm, but, unfortunately, only reached as far as the door, when she was overtaken by the murderer, who buried his knife deep into her right side. One of her hands was uplifted as if she had clung to the door handle until life slowly ebhed away owing to hemorrhage. . Inspector Pender believes that the whole affair could have lasted only minute or two. One of the neighbour's daughters was over at the side door of Jones' at 9 o'clock, but there wai no response to her knocking, and the Fleets— whose residence was about ten yards distance from that of deceased— state that they heard nothing unusual last night. There was a rumour in town to-night, however, that a noise was heard in Jones about the timo the murders were supposed to have taken place, and this is being investigated by the police. . Medical gentlemen who examined the wounds express the opinion that the weapon used must have been, a very strong one, with a keen edge, as the outs are yery clean.JJ Search has been made all day for traces of the missing cash-box, but without «uccess. - Shore, who is in custody, is a powerfully built man, and has a wife and two children. When arrested he was at work on the stop-bank contract, Petone, and appeared to be in his usual spirits. Beyond a remark that he was in liquor the previous night, he made no reference to the charge on which he waa arrested. Tiie police state that they have endeavored to traco the movements of Shore last night, and that they have evidence that he was ?een near the scene of the murder, but too much importance cannot be attached to this, as he lived near the Jones., Enquiries confirm accused's statement that he was in liquor on Thunday evening, alio the fact that one hotel had declined to serve him. When arrested, no money was found on Shore. Prisoner will be charged to-morrow, but a remand will be asked. The only new facts that have come to light are that noises resembling a heavy fall were heard in Jones' house about 8 p.m. on Thursday. He had a cash-box, but no money can be found in the place. The police took possession of a number of knives, said to be used by Shore while at work with the Gear Meat Company, and his clothes are impounded for examination. A number of police are still searching for traces of the cash box, a weapon, or any object which may lead to sheeting home the murder to the real culprit. The pelice naturally are reticent as to the evidence in their possession against Shore, but are not relaxing efforts to get to the bottom of tbe whole affair. Wellington, August 31.— The cashbox which waa supposed to have been taken by the murderer from Jones's house yesterday is undisturbed. It wasjin, a table drawer in tha sitting-room, and contained about £1. The footprint outside, which was at first looked ou as a clue, turns out to have been made by tbe first man who rushed in on Mrs Hounslow's cry of " murder." The landlord of the Empire Hotel says Shore was under the influence of Jiquor at 10 p.m. oa Thursday, and he is known to have been trying to get drink before that as early as 8 o'clock. All this is looked on as in his favour. The inquest began this mornuag, the medical evidence being first taken.