THE AUCKLAND TRAGEDY.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 3025, 7 December 1882, Page 2

THE AUCKLAND TRAGEDY.

THE INQUEST. STRANGE DEMEANOUR OF THE PRISONER. [By Teleokaph.j Auckland, Deo. 6. At the inquest on Mrs Crowley yesterday, the prisoner seemed the least interested person in Court. His manner was one of listless indifference. He seated himself on the hob of the fireplace, and did not move for hours or manifest the slightest comprehension of what was transpiring. Towards the close, apparently wearied of a sitting posture, he stood up, and a pitiable object he seemed to be. His manner was vacant, bis features pale, and set off by his dark scrubby whiskers, their pallor seemed greater. The evidence of Crowley’s daughter, Mr Frater, and others was taken. Several witnesses gave evidence to the effect that since a fall the prisoner sustained a fortnight; ago his manner ha'd been strange. Ambrose Forest deposed that the change was in bis manner as well as his looks. He did not seem to foe as lively as he was before or so communicative. He appealed to be depressed and to have lost bis spirts. He was generally very communicative with the witness when they met, but he was not so on this occasion. It appeared to witness that the man’s health was failing and that he had suffered some shock. Ten days ago witness advised him to see a doctor, and this was repeated during the week, and again it was repeated last Saturday by Mr Frair, Mr Hark and himself. Dr Fitzgerald, who examined the body of the murdered woman, deposed that there was a large wound on the right temple, a triangular wound four inches wide and five inches long deep into the base of the brain close to that over the right eye, another triangular wound four inches wide and four inches deep, also into the base of the brain. The whole of the orbit of the right eye was gone and the forehead was smashed to bits. The roof of the mouth and the upper jaws on both sides and the teeth were also gone. The lower jaw was gone on both sides, and there was not a whole tooth in the woman’s bead ; all were smashed to powder. The first wound would cause instant death. The others were given after she was dead. After a verdict of wilful murder had been returned the prisoner had an interview with his .daughter, and subsequently made provision for her maintenanoe.