DEATH OF WIFE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 88, Issue 94, 21 April 1944, Page 5

DEATH OF WIFE

HUSBAND FOR TRIAL ON CHARGE OF MURDER (P.A.) Auckland, April 20. A grimly dramatic story was unfolded before Mr. J. H. Luxford, S.M., to-day, when Thomas Philip Haworth, 32, a chorme tanner, Otahuhu, was charged with the murder of his wife, Patricia Florence Haworth, 28. The tragedy was alleged to have occurred at accused’s home, 28 Luke Road, Otahuhu, on March 16. Accused bad no statement to make and was committed for trial at the next sitting of the Supreme Court at Auckland. Among the police exhibits were a heavy doublq-headed engineer's hammer with which the police allege the crime wias committed, and a’series of gruesome photographs showing the terribly battered head of Mrs. Haworth, and the condition of the bedroom at the Haworth home, when the police photographer visited it. Sixteen witnesses were called by the Crown Solicitor, Mr. V. R. Meredith. The inquest proceedings were taken concurrently with the murder charge hearing. Detective-Sergeant F. N. Alpin, who made the arrest, represented the police, and Mr. J. Terry appeared for accused. Evidence that Haworth used to come to his hotel between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. each Saturday was given by Charles Claude Nicholson, licensee of the Star Hotel, Otahhuu. Some time between IQIS a.m. and 10.40 a.m. on March 16, witness saw accused in the bar and said: “Hullo Tommy; having a day off? Not feeling too good?” “He beckoned to me and said something dreadful had happened, something that had never happened in his family before,” said witness. “He told me I was the only one he could trust, and then he said he had killed his wife. He was in a very nervous state, and spoke gushingly. He told me he had killed his wife with a hammer, and said she was no good. She was rotten to the core.” continued witness. “Thinking that he had gone off his head and that I would calm him down. I told him to come in and have a brandy. Witness went to accused’s house and returned to the hotel with Detective McLean. Haworth was still sitting in the bar. An American serviceman gave evidence of visits he made to the Haworth home. “Mrs. Haworth and I had become quite attached to each other, and I planned to come back to her after the war," said witness. “On Saturday night Haworth was told how we felt about each other. That was on the Saturday before the Thursday on which she was killed.” Witness said he was married, but he was going to get a divorce and Mrs. Haworth was going to get a divorce. Mr. Terry (for the accused): What started the discussion on the mutual feelings btween you and Mrs. Haworth? Witness: Mrs. Haworth made « very direct and definite statement on the matter.