THE PUKEKAWA MURDER.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 9, Issue 576, 19 October 1920, Page 2

THE PUKEKAWA MURDER.

EVIDENCE AT AUCKLAND. ("Times" Reporter.) The taking of evidence in the Pukekawa murder case was continued at Auckland yesterday. The Children's Evidence. John Giles Eyre (12), son of the deceased, stated that he had gone to bed early on the night of the murder. He did not know that anything was wrong until his mother came in and called his brother Phil. He dki not see his father after he was shot. The witness corroborated the evidence of his elder brother as to thei: going to telephone the police and doctor. The boy also deposed to having seen his mother and Thorne ii. terms of familiarity in the oat field and in the woolshed. This had occurred both before and subsequent to his father's return from Canada. About a fortnight before Thorn left his father went away to Te Kuiti. While his father was away on this short occasion accused had left his own bedroom, and witness had heard him go up the passage and into his mother's room, where he remained for about half-an-hour. The accused and his father got on fairly well together, but sometimes disagreed. The elder daughter of the deceased, Dora Millicent Eyre, gave evidence on similar lines to the previous witness regarding the movements of Thorn in the house on the night of the murder.

Joseph Bell, farm labourer, stated that he was employed by Mr. Granville at the same time as Thorn, He shared n whare with Thorn close to Mr. Granville's house. Twice to his knowledge Thorn had been out shooting'. The second occasion was some tune prior to the murder. The wit ness left Mr. Granville's employ or the day before the murder, a Monday. On the Saturday previous to this he had been present when Thorn had counted his cartridges. He could not be sure of the number, but he thought there were about 50. Thorn v:is always talkine to him about Mr> Eyre.

Andrew Matthew Shugur, journalrst, slated that he was at Pukekawa shortly after the murder. He reniained there over the Meek-end. He met. tin: accused, Thorn, in the hotel at Tuakau. In llic course <>f conversation with the accused and the hotelkceper, l.h. latter expressed the opinion thai someone would be arrested for I lie niurder. Thorn re plied. "By ■ , if they get me, I'll drag some olhc l ' inlo it. Homeone is nearer the rope's end than they think I hey are," The hnlH-leep-r advised Tlorn 1.0 lie careful what lie .-.aid, .mil the conversation lerminated.

Edward I'Vanei., O'l'i ien, acting, ilf lie live. stated thai between August ;.'t> and oeptcuibei" I." he was Kiigaficil in making en«iuirirs regard in;; Ihe ,ir.,li, of Mr. S. S. Eyre, lie was engaged in jxiimiuiiiji all ainimi ritiou in the possession of .residents in the districts surrounding Pukekawa. lie was |»aying special attention to Peters high-gun No. 7 shot, but although 60 houses weie visited only one cartridge of this knd was found. This was in the possession of Mr. Marshall, who had already given evidence. The Court then adjourned until 10 a.m. on Wednesday.