PUKEKAWA TRAGEDY

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 20, 19 October 1920, Page 7

PUKEKAWA TRAGEDY

MURDER CHARGE AGAINST THORN EVIDENCE BY EYRE'S CHILDREN By Telegraph—Press Association. Auckland,. October 18. Hearing of the charge against Samuel 1 John Thorn of having murdered Sydney Sevmonr Eyre at Pukekawa on August 24,' was continued at the Auckland Court to-day. James Grenyille, farmer, whose property is eighteen or nineteen miles from Eyre's farm, deposed that accused entered his employ about June 11. He occupied a wharo on tho farm with another farm hand—Joseph Bell. Subsequently, witness fixed up another camp for them, about two miles from the house. Bell . 1-ft witness's employ on August 23 (Mon- ' day). A. boy had been engaged to help [ Tliorn, but,'so far as Thorn knew, Monday and Tuesday would be the only nights he would'be sleeping alone at tho 1 new camp. Witness saw Thorn there on Monday and Tuesday. ' Among the horses Thorn had in camp was ono named Micky, and the latter was the only horse wearing plain shoes that had- not heels on them. Witness was present when Thorn knocked off ploughing about [ 5 p.m. on Tuesday. When witness got ' hack to Thorn's camp at 9 a.m. next day < Thorn was working a double-furrow plough with Micky in the team. Accured .had just started. He explained being late by saying that the horses were not working well. It was not till that night that witness heard of the murder. The police visited witness's place on Wednesday evening, and spoke to Thorn. Next " morning they took Thorn to inspect the horses. Thorn asked witness what horse the police were after. When told ."Dick," he used a coarse expression to indicate, that the police were on the wrong track, but when Thorn saw the police taking Micky's shoes, he said "Oh!" Accused's saddle was tried on Micky, and fitted the horse. In cru«-examination, witness admitted to counsel that he had seen accused riding two other draught horses just prior to the day of the murder, which would necessitate accused lengthening the girth straps of his saddle. T. D. M'Liver, solicitor, and co-trustee under Eyre's Will, said the estate was worth about £17,200. Mrs. Eyre had an interest of one-sfeth of the income, estimated at £157 a year. She would get another £157 per year for the children's keep and education. John Giles Eyre, 12 years of age, corroborated thja evidence or his elder brother, Phillip, as to going for help on the night of the murder. During his school holidays last year he noticed unusual friendship between accused and his mother, and he saw him kissing her on different occasions, even after his father returned. Witness corroborated the previous evidence about actions indicating that the accused spied and eavesdropped on Mr. and Mrs. Eyre. l after the house- .' hold had retired at night. Dora Millicent Eyre stated that after tho shooting on the night of August 24 ,she heard a horse galloping over the bridge below tho house. In answer to Mr. Singer, witness said she heard her mother say: "You had better go out by the front door. I heard someone running round to the back, and it will be safer to go out at tlife front." Andrew Mathew bhugar detailed a conversation which took place between Mr. W. Taylor, licensee, and accused at the Makau Hotel on August 30, This was to the effect that accused, addressing Taylor, said: "What do you think wilt happen, Dill?" Mr. Taylor replied: "I don't know, Sam, but I think the police are bound to get someone over it." Accused then said: "By , if they get me, I'll drag 6onv,; other — into it. There is someone nearer the rope's end than they-think they are." After further evidence had been taken the case was udjourned until to-morrow.