TRAGEDY AT PERTH.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume XXIV, 25 June 1928, Page 5

TRAGEDY AT PERTH.

THE ACT OF A MADMAN. MAN SHOT AND WOMAN AND CHILDREN VIOLATED. (.Per Press Association —Copyright., Australian Press Association. PERTH, June 24. A crime unparalleled in the history of the State is reported from Wubin, north of Perth. A man named Clifford Hulme, who was employed by a farmer named Harold Eaton Smith, near W’ubin, reported to the police that he had killed Smith. The police investigated, and found Smith in the bush, with a bullet wound in his head, and that Smith’s wife and six-year-old daughter, and baby twelve months old, had been violated, the daughter after having had her skull fractured by a blow from a piece of wood. Before the wife was assaulted, she was tied to the bed. Hulme is alleged to have stated.-hat immediately after having committed the offences, he went to the police station and made a confession.

PERPETRATOR ARRESTED. GRAVITY OF CHARGE NOT REALISED. Australian Press Association. Received this day, 9.30 a.m. PERTH, this day. Another daughter, Elsie, aged ten years, states that Hulme tried to strangle her when she attempted to intervene.

Mrs Smith was released from the bedpost by Elsie and walked nine miles next morning to the nearest neighbour, where she collapsed. All the victims are in hospital in a very grave condition.

Hulme, who is now under arrest, told the police that he shot Smith while the latter was driving a tractor, adding that his mind was a blank after that; but he remembered changing /his clothes and walking--23 miles to Wubin and then entraining for Dalwallinu. Huhne was born on Lord Lascelles’ estate, England, and has been in Australia for five years. He does not appear to realise the gravity of the charge.