The Amberlev Tragedy.

Feilding Star, Volume XVIII, Issue 256, 4 May 1897, Page 2

The Amberlev Tragedy.

THE MURDERER'S HISTORY. A BAD RECORD. | Per Press Association] Christchubch, May 2. Hugh Fraser, or, as he admits hii name to be, William Sheehan ii a quiet younglooking man, and gives his age at 20. He is about sft llin in height, with longish arms and legs. He stoops slightly when walking, and bis chest is somewhat contracted. He is fair, and has a very slight moustache and whiskers. His neck ig very much swollen from goitre. His mouth is large and drooping, with rather thick lips. He has small blue, furtive-looking eyes with which he appeared to watch every movement His nose is large as are also his ears, which stand out prominently. He appeared to be quite unconcerned, and apparently did not understand his position. Coming down in the train he smoked cigarettes, chatted with his guards, and did not take the slightest notice of the crowds which had gathered at the various station! anxious to get a glimpse at him. Just after leaving Kaiapoi ha asked for tha evening papers which contained an aocount of the inquest upon Miss Lawcock. Upon this request being roiused he became sullen, and seldom spoke for the remainder of the journey. Upon meeting a hostile reception at Lyttelton he, for the first time, showed alarm, and be was trembling violently when bia bandcnffs were removed in the gaol. During the time be was in the lock-up at Amberley he was never left, and appeared very much troubled until after he had made his confession, after which he became apparently calm, and slept fairly well during the night which followed. Wellington, May 3. The name of the Amberley murderer's father, if hs is the bootmaker in this district, is Sheen. The latter saya his son was always characterised by want of mental equilibrium. When about 12 years of age he was committed to the Nelson Industrial School, from which he ran away, and shortly afterwards was recommitted, having in the interim been arrested for 11 breaking and entering." Subsequently he ran away several times from school, and latterly has been completely lost sight of by "bis relatives. His grandfather and bis mother were both deficient in mental balance. His mother left her home in a strange and unexpected manner, when her son was between twelve and fourteen years of age, and instead of being dead, aB her son states, she is said to be alive and living at Perth, Westralia. The accused's father has been resi* dent in the Wellington district for over 30 years, and for a considerable time was in business in Wellington as a land and commission agent. Other members of his family are married, and in good positions, and both he and they feel their position Keenly. This Day. Mrs Egan, whose daughter is the mother of the younger Sheen, emphatically denies there is any lunacy on her side of the family, but states Sheen, senior, was once in the asylum at Wellington. Mrs Sheen, she says, left her husband, not on account of eccentricity on her part, but for other reasons. Reefton, This Day. Sheen, or Sheehan, the Amberley murderer, is well known in this district by the latter name. He arrived here more than a year ago and worked for different people in the district. He was not popular.

The young girl who has been so cruelly done to death was the youngest child ef Mrs Lawcock, whose bnsband died suddenly about five years ago. She was of a quiet, retiring disposition, and much esteemed by those with whom she associated. Intense sympathy is felt with the mother, and with the two brothers and the sister of the girl so cruelly murdered.