NEW PLYMOUTH TRAGEDY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume LI, Issue 4506, 18 September 1930, Page 3

NEW PLYMOUTH TRAGEDY.

WOMAN'S THROAT OUT.

. HUSIBAND ARRESTED ON MURDER CHARGE. New Plymouth, Sept. 16. The discovery of a woman dead with her throat cut in a house at Fitzroy this morning was followed later by the arrest- of her husband, Alexander Townsend, on a charge of murder. The woman was Cora, Alice Townsend, aged 47. It appears that at about 2.30 a.m. Constable King received a telephone message asking him to go to a house in Sackville Street. He immediately communicated with a doctor and other police officials, who on arrival found the woman terribly cut about the throat. The body was removed to the morgue, after which a search of the beach was undertaken. In the meantime the Waitara police were communicated with , with the object of discovering whether Townsend had gone to Airs. Townsend’s relatives at Onaero. Shortly afterward he was reported in that district, and Constable La Pouple went from Waitara and arrested him.

IuOLLIILIIJiC UIU \ V d.lbcll«/ [JUIiL-c- WUc communicated with , with the object of discovering whether Townsend had gone to Airs. Townsend’s relatives at Onaero. Shortly afterward he was reported in that district, and Constable La Pouple went from Waitara. and arrested him. The New Plymouth Police Court was crowded when Townsend arrived under escort at 2 p.m. He was represented by Mr L. M. Alqss, who agreed In the request for a remand till next Wednesday upon a murder charge. The remand it as granted by, a J.P. LIVING APART. Mrs. Townsend hail been living ■ part from her husband, it is understood, and she and her daughter, aged 17, were hoarding at a house in St random On Tuesday afternoon Airs. Townsend went to town, where slut met Airs. Vickers, who arranged that she should visit her place in Sackville Street to do some sewing. That evening Mrs.- Townsend visited the house, and when she was about to depart for her lodgings at about 10.30 p.m. it commenced to rain heavily, :: nd she decided to wait. Tn the meantime a man knocked at the door and asked Cor Airs. Townsend. After speaking to her for a brief period he was ordered to leave by the occupier of the House. It is alleged he returned in the house periodically. He wauled Mrs! Townsend to go with him to a car outside, but she would not.

During one of his absences Mrs. Vickers suggested she should telephone the police to remove him from the property, but Airs Townsend would not agree because she was afraid of creating a scene. Eventually, it was decided to iqek the door and that Mrs Townsend should lie on a conch in the sitting-room till morning. Tn the house besides Mrs. Townsend were Airs. Vickers, her adult sister, and two girls. IX/OR BROKEN OPEN.

Some time after midnight the household was disturbed by someone trying the back door, a.nd later someone was heard to break the french windows between the veranda aud the sitting-room. Voices were heard.

One of the women got up and looked into the room, and. being frightened at the appearance of the man she went to a neighbour’s place to telephone the police. While she was away the man came out lo Airs. Vickers and asked her where the telephone was. Upon being told he tore off the receiver, Hum he returned to the sittingroom! SCREAMS HEARD. Some further argument appeared lo take place, after which screams were heard. Airs. -Townsend was found in a sitting posture on the floor. Her throat was badly cut. There was no sign of the man who had been seen previously. Mrs. Townsend was formerly ’Miss Latham, a daughter of Mr. F. Latham, a farmer of Onaero. ■II is alleged that Townsend arrived at Onaero early yesterday morning, when he appeared at Mr. Latham’s place. Mrs. Townsend’s sister spoke to him. A telephone message was sent to the police, and subsequently Constable La Pouple arrived to make the arrest.

Townsend is 53 years of age and is described as a farmer-la-bourer. He was fanning in the Hamilton district till 18 months ago, then he sold his farm and came to live at New Plymouth.