THE AUCKLAND TRAGEDY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 4561, 6 December 1882, Page 3

THE AUCKLAND TRAGEDY.

[Pbb Pbhs9 Association.] [Tho following statement was published in our third edition of yesterday.] AUOKLAND, Dsc. 5. Mary Crowloy, aged 16, daughter of the Howick murderer, haa made tho following statement: — My fathor wenfc to tho sholf whore his shirt was, and put it on tho table. It was clean, but not starched or ironed, ancl he bogan ironing ifc with a cold iron. lie seemed very quiet when ironing tho shirt, and whon I oame into tho kitchen all he eaid was that I must not go to Howick. I went into the front room to go through it to tho bedroom to tie my necktie. I went in for it. Ec was still ironing the shirt, atd mothor and fathor were not talking. I wont into fcho kitchen and heard no quarrelling between thorn, but I heard hor ask him why he did not put on a whito shirt thafc was ironed. Thia waa a new ahirt thafc had never been worn, and he aaid "no ; I will not put it on." Bho made no remark then. I heard no more quarrelling, but about ten minutes after that I heard blows ; more fchan one. I heard hor screaming bofore I heard the blows, but I heard no quarrelling or nagging. Bho was not soolding him that morning. When he brought in the iron he said to mother, " Here's your iron, you can put it away," but the did not reply. I did not hear either of them speak again after tbat until I hoard tho screamß five minutes after. Then, from the sound, I could toll he knocked her down. I ran into the room. Mother was then atretched on the floor near the window, and I aaw , father standing up alongside her, with the

iron \n Uto hand. I noticed blood on her face, and whon I Baw it I ran. I saw him strike a blow before I ran. When I ran from the kitchen on hearing tho scream I could see into the front room, for the kitchen door opened into the front room. I only heard the first blow. I did not see him knock her down, but she lay with her head bowardß the bedroom, and when I got in he was standing near her head 5 and I saw father strike her with the iron in the face. I only Baw one blow and then ran out. She was making no noise at that time, and did not after eho screamed. I ran out whon I saw the blow and went to Mr Frater, the manager, and told him I believed that father had killed my mother. He was queer in his manner, and wore his Bunday clothes to work. It ia not true ahe was oonatantly jawing and nagging at father. It waß he who was constantly jawing her. She used to say that he spent his money when he went to Howick. Ho uaed to anawer her back. He uaed to go to Howick Bometimos, but seldom got drunk He had no drink lately. He had none that morning. My stepmother used to treat me very well. Father had no reason to complain of her conduct to me. She scolded me some- j times, but on the whole treated me kindly. I j have no cause to complain of her treatment. THE INQUEST. AUCKLAND, Due. 6. Thd inquest on the body of Mrs Crowley took place yesterday at Whiteford Park farm. Mr Heßketh watched the proceedings on behalf of the prisoner, who seemed the least interested porson in the Court. His manner was listloss and indifferent. He seated himself on the hob of the fireplace, and did not move for hours, or manifest the slightest comprehension of what was transpiring. Towards the close, apparently wearied of sitting in the posture he had assumed, he stood up, and a pitiful object he seemed to be. His manner was absent, his features pale, and, set-off by hia dark, scrubby whiskers, their pallor seemed greater. The evidence of Crowley's daughter, Mr Frater, and others was taken. Several witnosßes gave evidence to the effeot that since a fall prisoner sustained a fortnight ago hiß manner had been strange. One witness, Ambrose Trust, deposed that the change was in his mannor as well as looks. He did not seem to be as lively ss he wo 3 before, or so communicative. He appeared depressed, and to have lost his spirits. Witness said: He waß generally very communicative with me when wo met, but he was not so on this occasion. It appeared to me that the man's health was failing, and that he had suffered some shook. Ten dajs ago I advised him to see a doctor ; and this waa repeated during the week, and again was repeated last Saturday by Mr Frater, Mr Hack, and myself. Dr Fitzgerald, who examined the body of the murdered woman, deposed that there wae a large wound on the right temple, a triangular wound, four inchea wide and five inches long, deep into the base of the brain. Close to that, over the right eye, was another triangular wound, four inches wido and four inches deep, also into the base of the brain. The wholo of the orbit of the right eye was gono, and the forehead was smashed to bits. The roof of the mouth, the upper jaw on both sides, and the teeth, were gone. The lower jaw was gone on both sideß, and there was not a whole tooth in her head. AU 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, the prisoner had an interviow with his daughter, and he subsequently made provision for his daughter's maintenance.