WILLIAMS TRAGEDY.

Hokitika Guardian, 26 February 1924, Page 3

WILLIAMS TRAGEDY.

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION SYDNEY, Fo.b 25. An inquest on the three Williams’ children, who were found with their throats cut at Paddington on Feb. 6th. was opened to-day. The evidence was largely a repetition of the details already cabled. A new feature was the production of a letter sent through the High C’omissioner from London, signed Beryl Williams, and addressed from Battersea, wherein the writer claimed that Williams, the lather of the murdered children, wa- her husband, and she asked for help in tracing .bis whereabouts, stating that he had not sent her any money since 1910. when he was acting a- organiser at -St George's Church. He then sent a note that he was “leaving for elsewhere.” She. also alleged that Williams owed her £709 under a separation order. She had been injured during an air raid on London, and was: unable to gain a living. Her home had gone and si’.e was helpless with a child to maintain. Stic further alleged that she had discovered him living with other women, adding: "It would he a great act of charity to bring him to justice, and to a sense of his duty.” Detective Quinn gave evidence that when the letter was shown to Williams, be said that it referred to him. lie was married at Secunderabad, in India, about 1002. His wife became ill soon alter, and remained in an hospital for about eight months. AATieu she recovered, a. priest told him that it was impossible for her to he his wife. Therefore, he took her to her mother, and left her there. She had got a maintenance order against him for 15s weekly. When in* was asked by llte Detective f his desertion of 1 1 is wife and his going through the form of marriage with another woman, did not worry him. Williams said: "I do not look upon her as my wife, and I do not think, as the father of her child.’-'

FURTHER EVIDENCE. SYDNEY. Eeh. 25. At the Williams' inquest, Leo Mahon, nude of the dead children, gave evidence that on the fourth of E’ebriiary, lie spoke to Williams about the children. He asked him why lie did not pul them in an instil ution. Williams replied that, tie would never do that. Mahon also detailed a further conversation, in which he said to AA'illiams: “As you are of a lustful nature, the children, would lie lad ter away from you.” William- answered: "Well, low ah.ml placing a screen beeweeii the two bedsh” Mahon 11; ■" implored him not to interfere with them. In reply to ihe Coroner, who asked whv he made such a remark, lie said that he had in mind an occurrence at Ids house m 1921, when his wife told him that Williams had attempted lo assault her loster-sister. who was then aged eight. Mrs .Mahon gave evidence that she did not see the alleged attempted assault. but her foster-sister had told her about it. 11l reply to Williams, witness said the little girl was finally sent awav for lying, -dealing, and general had Im*ha viour.

The Coroner found that the children were maliciously murdered liv A\ illiams. whom lie commit teed for trial on March I2ili.