WHO SHOT EYRE?

Waipawa Mail, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8382, 13 September 1920, Page 3

WHO SHOT EYRE ?

' ARREST OF A SUSPECT. A FORMER EMPLOYEE. (Per Press Association). AUCKLAND, Last night. The arrest was effected on Saturday afternoon at Tuakau of a farm laborer named Samuel John Thorn on a charge of murdering Sydney Seymour Eyre at Pukekawa on the night of August 24th. Thorn was conveyed to Auckland in custody on Saturday evening. The arrested man is 33 years of age. He is married, but has for some time been living* apart from his wife and family of six children. While Eyre was on active service for over two years Thorn managed the farm for Mrs Eyre. In July, Eyre having* returned, Thorn went to work at Glenmnrray, 18 miles from the Eyre homestead. He had been working there for about six weeks when the murder was committed, and during that period lie paid three visits to Eyre’s. A double-barrelled shotgun and some ammunition were found in Thorn’s whare and these have been submitted to an expert, whose report is in the hands of the police. It is understood that authorities are satisfied that only one shot was tired and that a special kind of cartridge was used. Some pellets found in the murdered man’s room are in the possession of the police. It is understood the police investigation lias established three points:— (1) The murder was not committed for robbery. (2) The perpetrator must have been acquainted with the house and surroundings. (3) The shot was fired outside the house.