SEADOWN TRAGEDY

Hokitika Guardian, 21 January 1930, Page 3

SEADOWN TRAGEDY

OLDFIELD CHARGED

COMMITTED, FOR TRIAL

[By Telegraph, Per Press Association. 1

TIMARU, January 20

At the Magistrate’s Court lief A today. John Oldfield, farmer, of’ Seadofrn, was charged with having on January 13th . - murdered his wife at Seadown. Evidence was given in the morning by the deceased’s brother and others on the lines of that at the inquest. When the Court resumed after lunch evidence was given by Arthur Duncan, who said that at 6.30 o’clock on the morning of January 13. he saw a motor car in the yard, and saw Eldred and Jack Oldfield struggling for a gun, -which was in the accused’s possession. Witness asked the accused what was the matter, and he said: — “I’ve killed my -wife!’’ E'drod asked whom lie had killed, and the accused said: “I’ve killed Chrissy.” Witness asked the accused if 1,0 had quarrelled with Ins wife, and he replied: “No; they hadn’t.” The accused appeared to he rational at the time.

•T. Henry John Waite, farmer, of Seadown. said that on his arrival at Eldred Oldfield’s place, he saw the excused tied un with a strap and closely guarded bv AHL»r Duilc-an and F 1 dre.d OlcUe’d. The latter said: “T leave nv brother in your charge, as I’m going to see what, ho ha« done.” The accused then said : “1 killed her. all right. T ho"e Eldred doesn’t, faint at the sight of the. blood. T realise now wliat T’ve done. She was a good girl to mo. Her poor old mother will be cut up.” The accused appeared to be. quite rational. Constable A. Southwarth. gave evidence of arresting Oldfield, who said : “I realise now what I’ve done. I w* worried over things. X thought Icl spoilt the poor girl’s life. I cun t sav anything.” Witness sUd that in a small room next to tlie bedroom, he found a writing pad and an account book with pencilled figures which indicated that the accused had be|en working out the financial position of the farm. Constable Kearney said that at accused’s request, he commenced to write his. own statement, but after he had written a little, lie said: “I could, say a lot. I was worrying about ‘he future. I think it is well to write nothing at all. I think T will 16’ve it for the time being. I’ll tear this thing up. I must have been mad at the time. 1 loved the girl. I went .to a lot of trouble getting the house ready for her. Now I’m in financial difficulties. The best girl in the .world! Tilings were not too bright. I could not , sleep. Detective Lindsay, of Studholme, said that n,t Temuka Police Station, accused said: “Oh, God, why did I do it I I am sorry for the poor girl’s mother. I am not insane. I deserve all that is coming to me.”

Inspector A. S. Bird said that at Temuka the accused asked if he could see a solicitor at Tima-ru. He asked for Tripp and Rollestoiu He said: “I made my will about a week ago. but it is no good now. I’ll have to make another, but it doesn’t matter much, as this is the finish of me!”. After hearing further evidence. Oldfield reserved his defence, and was committed for trial at the Supreme Court at Tiniaru.