CHARGE OF MURDER

Hokitika Guardian, 3 November 1931, Page 8

CHARGE OF MURDER

“ROBBED ME OF MY WIFE.” ,

LONDON, Ootobei; 22. ;“i am perfectly sane. I hope I haye 'just finished off a snake who is robbing me of my house and my* wife,” stated a note found in the desk of Andrew Neely an electrician, aboard the liner Leviathan. Neely is charged with the murder of W lfted' Povyley and with attempted suicide,., arising out jof . a tragedy ■ in Southampton on August 28. On that day a policeman, answering a whispered call over the ’phone, found Neely in a telephone box, with his arteries cut at the wrist. A trail of blood led to Neely’s home, where Powley lay, frightfully gashed about the, head and neck. “I was determined that he should not disho«ouir my wife as he has other women,”, wrote Neely. ~. I realised that I couldn’t be here to protect her, and this was the only way left.” Other, dramatic letters read in Court included one found in Neely’s pocket, signed with his wife’s Christian name, “Dorrie,” saying : “All I can look back on are loneliness, disillusion, and dependence on your moods and fancies, until I am little better off than a street woman.” Bow-ley’s. wallet also contained love l iters signed, “Dorristine read; “My dearest. You have 1 ' all my life filled my thoughts, and taken everything from me.” The prosecution pointed out that it -was unable to call Mrs Neely, or Powley’s widow, mother, and three children.’ Evidence was given that Powley was frequently away for long intervals, but it was not known that he was living at Neely’s home. The hearing was adjourned.