A WAVE OF CRIME.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 2105, 20 March 1920, Page 2

A WAVE OF CRIME.

WOMAN' FOUND DEAD. Palmerston North was startled on Thursday to learn of a shocking occurrence which gives every indication of foul murder. The victim was Marjv Elhelinc Webby, aged 38 years, wife of Felix Webby, residing at 42 Mauson Street, and employed by Messrs Brett and Hocking, a local (inn of contractors. Shortly before six o'clock on Thursday morning a Mr Wills, of Rnahine Street, went to get his cow, and proceeded up an unformed road, commonly known in Terrain' End as "Grassy Lane." it is a lonely locality, and runs between Rnahine and Eiizrov Si reels. When nearing the intersect ion of this lane with I'itzroy Street, he espied a woman lying near a fence, overshadowed by pine trees. On approaching her he made the gruesome discovery that her throat had been cut. Mr Wells immediately communicated with the police, who proceeded to (lie scene without delay, ami the body of the dead woman was removed to (he morgue. Beyond a bottle of ale. there was nolhing>whatsoever around the body • which would indicate that she .had taken her own life. The throat was t gaslted from ear to ear. There were no other marks of violence on the body. Kn<|uiries made in the neighbourhood elicited the information that the deceased woman had been seen to leave her house in Malison Street early on Wednesday afternoon, in company with a man, and proceeded toward-' (own. Between six and -.even in the evening of the same day a resident in Kuahine Street noticed her enter the lane and proceed towards (he scene of the tragedy. On this occasion she was alone. A hen her body was seen by Detective-Ser-geant (fund;' 1 at 7.10 a.m. yesterday morning, it was estimated that deceased had been then dead for leu (o twelve hours. Therefore, if may la 1 concluded that she met her death shortly after she had entered the lane the previous evening. Deceased had not been near her home >inee leaving on the Wednesday a llentoon. The police, immediately the tragedy became known, commenced a thorough investjgation. An impiesl was opened yesterday morning, before the dcputy-Coroner,' and adjourned for a week, desterday morning's proceedings were taken in order to obtain formal permission for the issue of a warrant for the burial of the body. No arrests have yet been made, but (he police arc working hard on every clue that: presents itself. “Stop! Don't move, or yon are gone!” were the astonishing words burled at two Palmerston drapers, Messrs Jolmnsou and Kearney, by an unknown man in the rear of their drapery premises in Main Street West at alum! eleven o'clock' on Thursday night, -ays the Standard, in the warkness that prevailed, and with the probability of the intruder being armed, it is unnecessary to say that the instructions were obeyed and (lie man promptly decamped. (t appears that Mr Kearney, who sleep.-, in a'lent, in a yard at the rear o l/l he shop, heard sounds as of a man jumping over the yard fence, and, on looking out, observed the individual in the. act of clambering on to a, lean-to, apparently with (lie intention of gaining access to the shop through some high windows immediately over the roof of the leau-10. Mr Kearney then went inside, as i|niclly as possible, and informed his partner, .Mr Johansen, of what tvis going on. .Both were in their pyjamas, Iml they seized handy weapons, and proceeded to investigate matters. The slight noise

made, however, was sitliicienl to send the intruder leaping from his elevated position on the roof. He made off across the yard, and both pursuers were almost upon him, they laid a pressman, when he wheeled round, with one arm extended, and -■avagely uttered the abrupt words staled above, advancing two or three steps towards them as he did so. The situation was a tense one, and realising- immediately that he was tin* master of it, the intruder backed away again, still keeping the amazed proprietors at a safe distance. As soon as be had established a lead that gave him reasonable prospect of ex-ape, Hu* man snapped the tension by wheeling abruptly, and in two or three strides leaped the gale. Once in the roadway, he made off very quickly and vanished into the night. In the course of the proceedings the unknown man dropped his hat. This was handed to the police on their being acquainted of the incident immediately afterwards. The matter is now being investigated. THE LUX sox BY MULDE R. Auckland, March 18. At the Police Court, Dennis Gunn was charged with the murder of Augustus Brailhwaitc and theft from the I’onsonby Post Office. Accused was remanded till Friday. Tho proceedings were remarkably brief.

The investigation of the crime has been conducted by Del ective-Serge-ants Hammond and Issei! and Detectives Cutmning, Young, ) and Sweeney, who effected the arrest. The suspected man’s dwelling was kept under close observation by the detectives from daybreak yesterday, it having been .decided to await Dunn’s appearance in the street before taking him in charge. The

period of waiting proved to he lengthy for the detectives, as Gunn did nof emerge from his house until after 2 p.m. He then made his way to Howe Street, and was proceeding towards Karangahape road when lie was accosted by The waiting detectives and taken in charge. The arrest was quietly made, no resistance being’offered by Ihe man, and he. rna.de no reply when he was charged by Detective-Sergeant Hammond with (he capital offence. Gunn was taken to (he Xcwton police station and lodged in the cells, while a search was made of Ihe house in which he resided. He was subsequently transferred to the city police cells. The arrested man has resided in Auckland for some years. In August, I!) 18, lie was arresled on warrant for failing lo appear before, a military medical hoard, and was handed over to the military authorities, hut lie has not previously been charged with any criminal offence. Somerset Place is practically a blind street, directly opposite (lie Girls’ High School, in Howe Street, about 300 yards from Karangahape Road. Howe Street is a steep thoroughfare, extending from near the junction of Karangahape Road and Ponsonhy Road to Bert's ford Street, and thence to Wellington Street. The cottage in which Gunn resided is a six-roomed structure, .with two storeys at (lie rear and one in front. At the rear of Gunn's residence there is an area of waste land on which send) and blackberry run wild. A thorough .-eai'eb of tins area was made by ihe deleclives after the arrest of Gann yesterday. —Herald.

'MASKR!) RORiIKUS AT ROTORI’A. Rotorua, March 13. About oiji l o'clock I his inorniny, Robert Raynor, (it) yc i :i! , s of aye, employed liy (ho Tourist Depaninenl, and living alone near the Postmaster Rath, was at lucked !>y two masked men, who knoeked at tiie door ami asked for matches. He refused to open I lie door, hut opened a small window and plum'd the matches within their reach. They awaiii asked him In open the door, llircaleniny io In'cai; il down. Raynor armed himself with a pick handle, savine- he would delend liinisell. One of the men ihrew a piece of iron ■piping six feel in lenytli tin >.in; !i ,1 he open window, nearly knockiny him out. They further attempted to open (he door, and struck him 'With a second piece of piping on the forehead. Raynor opened the doin' suddenly, and yol away, carryiny a bay' conhiininy 130 s. One man followed him, and he dropped the bay in the (itree, and stayyered m a neiyhhouriny house, the occupant ol which took' him to the hospil.nl, where nine stitches were put m Ins head. The hay was found empty. The rohhers had entered Raynor’s house, hul took nothiny. The ol’liee of .Messrs Thornlon Walker and Co., esinle ayents. urns broken into duriny Wednesday niyhl. and ,Ci)o in yold and Hole-, and a idieipU' for An, was stolen. The of(ice was entered throiiyh I in* side window, and the money was (alien from the cash box in the drawer.