DOUBLE TRAGEDY.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20648, 24 June 1935, Page 4

DOUBLE TRAGEDY.

Father Shot and Son Takes 1 Own Life. WARNING WAS TOO LATE. Per Frees Association. AUCKLAND, June 23. A dairy farm at East Tamaki was the scene of a tragedy shortly after noon, when, in broad daylight. Peter Hobson, aged 18, fired two shots at his father, wounding him critically with the second. He then took his own life. Peter Hobson, sen., was admitted to the Auckland Hospital suffering from a gunshot wound between the eyes. His condition on admission was grave. The case presents several tragic aspects. The boy, who was known as “Sonny” Hobson, resided with his mother, who had been living apart from her husband for some time. This afternoon Mrs Hobson was driven to Otahuhu to see the son’s dead body, which had been brought there from the farm, while, at the same time, doctors and nurses at the hospital were fighting to save the husband’s life. Hobson’s farm is one of 97 acres. Some months ago Mrs Hobson left the farm taking her two sons with her, of whom Peter was the elder. She has since been employed as a housekeeper by Mr Cocker, of Point Chevalier. . Two brothers,. ClifForcf Mullins and Noel Mullins, engaged by Mr Hobson as farm hands, have, been living on the farm with .him. Early this morning Mr Hobson and the Mullins brothers rose to do the milking and later Mr Hobson drove his van into the city to deliver the milk to town suppliers. On his return both he and Noel Mullins went to their respective rooms for a rest. Boy Seen With Pea-rifle. A little later, Clifford Mullins, who had been engaged on some farm work, returned to the house. He had been there only a few minutes when he saw Hobson’s son walking across the farmyard carrying 4 pea-rifle. Mullins first informed his brother and then went to warn Mr Hobson. Noel Mullins immediately went to the front room and when he opened the door he discovered the boy still holding the pea-rifle. “Young Hobson raised the gun apd levelled it at me.” Mullins said. *'l did not wait to speak to him, but ducked back quickly out of the room. I found Mr Hobson and when we returned to the room we found that the bov had gone off through the window. We searched the farmyard without finding any trace of him and then Mr Hobson and my brother got into the van intending tg look for him down the road.” According to both the Mullins brothers Mr Hobson had driven the van only a matter of 100 yards from the farmhouse when a shot rang out and a bullet drilled a hole in the bodywork

of the vehicle just above Mr Hobson’s head. , “ The boss stopped the van.” Clifford Mullins said. " I told him not to get out, but he would not listen to me. He stood at the side of the drive with his hand shading his eyes, looking out over paddocks in the direction from which the shot had come. Within a few seconds another shot came. Just at that time I think my brother and I both saw “ Sonny ” Hobson in a paddock about fifty or sixty yards away with his gun to his shoulder. Wound Right Between the Eyes. We both called out to Mr Hobson, but we were too late. He dropped almost as we called out with a bullet wound right between his eyes.” The two young men at that moment did not give another thought to young Hobson. They could see that their employer was still alive and. as carefully as possible, they placed him in the van and then drove as fast as they could to where Hobson was attended by Dr Gilberd. By that time Hobson was unconscious and Dr Gilberd, after dressing the wound, in which the bullet was still lodged, ordered an ambulance and had him sent to hospital. The apparently been fired from an angle and the bullet, entering at the forehead, had travelled in the direction of the ear. The police were notified, but no arduous search for young Hobson was necessary. Noel Mullins directed the constables to the spot from which he had seen the second shot fired and v about twenty yards further back the boy’s body was discovered lying on the grass. A bullet had passed righT through his head and the pea rifle was lying on the ground beside him. He was wearing only a shirt and trousers and was in his stockinged feet. A search revealed a bicycle and an overcoat hidden in a paddock nearer the road, while his shoes were later discovered hidden behind a hedge at the rear of the house.

Jt was subsequently established that the boy had cycled from the city, ar- j riving at the farm only a few minutes ; after his father’s return from the city, j Mr Hobson is an Englishman who has been in New Zealand for a number | of years. He saw active service with [ the East Lancashire Regiment in France and had a notable war record Since coming to Auckland he has been engaged in dairy farming at liowick and Manurewa and took over his present farm on a lease about five years ago- __________