A SHOCKING MURDER

Hokitika Guardian, 26 August 1920, Page 1

A SHOCKING MURDER

HEAD ALMOST BLOWN OFF

(Per Press Association.)

AUCKLAND, Aug. 25 News was received in Auckland this afternoon of the shocking murder of a well-known resident of Pukekawa district, near Tuakau. The victim, Mr Sydney Seymour Eyre, retired with his family last night at 9 o’clock, and three hours later had his head almost blown off by a shot gun. From the first particulars received of the tragedy it appears that Mr and Mrs Eyre and their family of five children, the eldest of whom is a boy of 16 .years, retired for the night shortly after 9 o’clock, the husband and wife occupying different bedsi in the same room. Eyre Was a returned soldier, having served at the front for about two years, and since his return it had been his custom to sleep near the window', which he kept open for health reasons. About midnight Mrs Eyre was startled from her sleep by the sound of an explosion, and looking towards her husband she cried out to know what was the matter. No reply came, but in the moonlight that was filtering into the room she saw something strange in his position and appearance, and hastily striking a light her horror-stricken eves met a ghastly spectacle. The body of her husband lay in bed drenched with blood, the upper part of the head being blown off. The distracted woman heard no sound without, and saw no one, but realised that her husband must have been fired at while, .asleep by some one standing just outside the open window', the glass of which was sliattered by the shock of the explosion. The noise of the shot also awakened the children and the two elder boys were sent by their mother to l’ukeawa Post Office, whence an urgent summons reached Sergeant Cowan and. Dr Wake of Pukeohc about .1 a.m. No time was lost in setting out for the scene of the tragedy, and at 4 o’clock Constable Thompson, of Tuakau, was picked up and the party proceeded to Pukekawa. So far as can he ascertained the victim who was a man of very kindly disposition and highly respected, had no enemies, and the motive for the dastardly act has presented a mystery to all who knew him. The perpetrator 1 of the crime, however, was evidenly ac- 1 qua.inted with Eyre’s custom of sleeping under the open window, and chose a night when there was sufficient moonlight to enable him to carry out his cold-blooded purpose with precision, i The nature of the wound showed that a shotgun had been used for the murder ; mid indications were that it had been actually rested on the window sill when fired. Eyre was a sheep farmer and ’ contractor, and before the war a member of the Raglan County Council. About three and a half years ago illhealth sent him on a trip to California, 1 and while there lie enlisted in a Canadian Highland Regiment, returning from war service about twelve months ago. Deceased was about- 48 years of age. The house at which the tragedy 1 occurred is situated about mile and three-quarters from Pukekawa Post ‘ Office, and stands- some distance from the, main road. 1