WIDOW MURDERED

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 434, 19 January 1933, Page 5

WIDOW MURDERED

(Press Assn.-

SHOT IN BED "WHAT ARE YOU DOING" IN THE 'ROOM FRANK" "GET OUT OF IT"

-By Telegrapli — Copyriglxt)

Auckland,,, Wednesday. With the cry of "What are you doing in the room, Frank? Get out of it!" ringing in his ears a Papatoetoe man awoke last nighf: to hear a shot to find the v/ouian lying beside him dying from a gunshot wound in the chest. Bertha May Bennett, a wid'ow, aged 40, the owner of a small dairy farm in East Tamaki Road, ' was murdered and a man named Thomas Francis Clark, aged 32, a lahourer, was arrested for murdering her. Challenge Answered by Shot Alfred George Hamilton, a butcher, who lodged with Mrs. Bennett and it is said lived with her as man and wife, tohi the police that they retired to bed at nine o'cloek and about eleven he was awakened by the woman's cry. Immediately there was a flash from the foot of the bed where he saw the form of a man dimly outlined in the dark. This man was able to reaeh the bedroom door first and slammed it in ITamilton's face. Then there was another shot and Hamilton rushed through the door to see his cousin, Thomas Francis Clark, who brushed past him into the bedroom. It was plain that Mrs. Bennett was badly hurt, and her daughter Una, who, sleeping in the next room, had been awakened by the first shot, rushed for Constable Maloney and the doctor. Mrs. Bennett was breathing when they came, but she died soon afterwards. Story of Parties' Relations Eight years ago Hamilton, an employee of the City Abattoirs, went to live at Mrs. Bennetts - home, and since then he and Mrs. Bennett had lived together as man and wife. Before that he had known her for four years. Eighteen months ago accused, Thos. Francis Clark, known to his friends as "Frank," became friendly with the household, and during that time made frequent visits to the farm, often having tea and spending the evening. In November last Clark got work at Westfield as a butcher, and visits to the Bennett home became more frequent. It appears that he paid a good deal of attention to Mrs. Bennett, although it is not definitely known that there had been any talk of marriage. About 7.30 last evening Clark rode up to the house on horseback. Hamilton was out in a paddock catching a horse. Chatting aiid on Good Terms When Hamilton came back accused and Mrs. Bennett were leaning over the verandah together chatting. They appeared to be on good terms. Not long after accused mounted his horse and rode off in the direction of his home, a mile away. After Clark had gone away Mrs. Bennett went into the sitting-room and listened to the- radio for a time. Out in the back room were Miss Una Bennett and her fiance. Clark's Miraculous Escape In the meantime Clark remained in the house and was sitting on the edge of the bed when the police arrived. Clark was bleeding from wounds in his arm. It is alleged that he had attempted to shoot himself through the heart with a shotgun, but the charge had struck a watch in his pocket, and a number of pellets, deflected from the watch, had lodged in his left arm. The watch, which had saved Clark's life, was shattered, and fragments were scattered about the room. Some time later Detective-Sergeant McHugh and Detective Maliood arrived from the city by car and early this morning Clark was charged with the murder of Mrs. Bennett. His wounds were dressed and he was talcen to the Auckland Hospital, where he was admitted shortly hefore six o'cloclc. A policeman sat at his bedside until later in the morning, when Clark was taken to the operating theatre for X-ray. This afternoon his condition was reported to be not serious. "It all right. I had only two cartridges." Clark is stated to have called out. Later he is alleged to have said, "I did not make half a job of it." Only Two Cartridges ~Found The gun, now in possession of the police, is a two-barrelled one, and is said to be owned by Clark, although it was kept in the Be-nnett home. IT was last used on Sunday, when Hamilton and Clark went rabbiting. After their excursion, the gun was left in a spare room at the back of the house. Only two spent cartridges were found in the house last night. Born in Auckland, Mrs. Bennett, formerly Miss Bertha Whewhell, would have heen forty this month. She was the wife of the late Mr. Arthur Bennett, who died about 13 years ago. For a time the Bennetts lived in the Tamaki district, but shifted to Papatoetoe after Mr. Bennett's death. They have lived in the district for about twelve years. Both Mrs. Bennett and her daughter have been known as aecomplished horsewomen. Miss Bennett said her mother rode with the Pakuranga hounds last season. Where Murder Was Committed The house in which the murder was committed is of unusual design, and is said to have been a part of the old Auckland Exhibition buildings. The room in which the shooting took place and the front door open on to a verandah. The room is plainly furnished, having a double bed, a dressing table, and a wardrobe. In the front of the house is a tidy little garden, and on the left are several fruit trees. An archway, eovered with passion fruit vines, spans the path leading to the back. Detective-Sergeant R. J. Issell, finger-print expert and police photo-

grapher, visited the house later in the morning. Inquest Adjourned The body of Mrs. Bennett was taken to the Otahuhu morgue, where a postmortem examination was carried out this morning by Dr. D. N. W. Murray, police surgeon. At the opening of the inquest this morning, evidence of identification only was taken by the coroner, Mr. F. H. Levien, S.M. The body was iden-

tihed by Hamilton. The inquiry was adjourned sine die.. Clark Charged' With Murder A charge of murder was brought against Thomas Francis Clark, aged 32, in the Auckland Police Court, before Mr. W. R. McKean, S.M., this morning. Accused did not appear. According to the charge sheet Clark was described as having he-en born in New Zealand, his occupation heing given as that of a labourer. He was charged that, at Papatoetoe on January 17, he did murder Bertha May Bennett. "Accused will not appear, as he is in hospital," said Detective-Sergeant Kelly, who asked for a week's remand. Mr. Kelly said that last night after the murder of the woman, Clark attempted to shoot himself, but most of the charge struck his watch. and glanced off. "There, is eyery chance of his recovery," the officer added, "and he will have to be watched." The magistrate granted the remand.