MURDER OF GIRL

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 969, 12 May 1930, Page 10

MURDER OF GIRL

WIFE IN ENGLAND HAD ! PREMONITION ACCUSED REMANDED United P.A.—By Telegraph—Copyright j LONDON, Sunday. ! The wife of Frederick Manley, who has been arrested on a charge of murdering a girl at Wanganui, New , Zealand, is living at Kenley, Surrey. She says she first heard the news from a report. She was not sur- ! prised, as she had a premonition yes- ; terday that something terrible was ; going to happen. Mrs. Manley said she had contracted an unhappy war-time marriage and had obtained a separation in 1925, when she and her two little boys had been dependent upon the Poor LawGuardians for eight months. She last heard from her husband from Rio de Janeiro in 1928, when he wrote suggesting that they should make a fresh start together, but added: “If jou do not agree I shall go through a form of marriage with a pretty fairhaired girl. She is only 23, but has been divorced and now is imploring me to take her away.” Mrs. Manley said she could not reply to such a letter. She would not have done so, even if it had not contained a threat.

WANGANUI SHOCKED

SYMPATHY WITH FAMILY OF VICTIM GIRL BURIED YESTERDAY Special to THE SC JY WANGANUI, Sunday. Not since Friday, October 26, 1923, when Mrs. N. R. Oates was found brutally murdered at her residence in Somme Parade, Aramoho, has Wanganui been so shocked as when the news began to circulate that a young girl, Gladys Cromarty, aged 21, was alleged to have been cruelly murdered by a jealous lover, Herbert Frederick Manley, at the residence of her mother. The girl was murdered in her bedroom upstairs while sho was resting, being only lightly clad. The motive of the crime was apparently jealousy. Manley immediately left the house, but shortly after six o’clock he yvalked into the police station and gave himself up, remarking: "I’m the man you’re looking for.” From an occupant of the house, it is gathered that he came down the stairs hurriedly, about three steps at a time, and rushed out of the front door. He was seen to run along Ridgway Street to Wilson Street, and thence to the quay. He was then seen running in the direction of the gasworks on Taupo Quay. POLICE SPREAD NET Steps were taken expeditiously to spread a net of police in an endeavour to apprehend Manley’. The victim of the tragedy was of a bright and happy disposition. She had been employed at Foster’s Hotel as a waitress for a period of six months, but she left to enter the employ of Mr. G. M. Curry, of Kai-Iwi. There, it is stated, sho met Manley’, who was employed as a chef, and the pair became engaged, the engagement being announced recently in the papers. Both left there and went to Wellington. Miss Cromarty returned from Welling recently to her home, and on Tuesday last Manley also returned, and was staying at the home. Apparently none of the neighbours heard any commotion, and the mother and sister of the victim only heard what they described as a dull thud, and were not aware of anything unusual happening until Miss Cromarty collapsed in the kitchen doorway. A TRAIL OF BLOOD The bed on which, the unfortunate girl had lain was saturated with blood, and there were a few stains of blood on the wall of the bedroom, a slight trail of blood down the stairs, and a large pool where the young woman breathed her last in the kitchen. The father of the victim died some six years ago. The family came from Scotland. The eldest sister, Dora, came from Aberdeen about six years | ago as a domestic servant. She was | employed at Hunterville for a time, j It was through Dora's influence that j the two other members of the family ! came out to the Dominion 11 months ! ago. The mother, a widow, in response to her eldest daughter’s appeals, came out to New Zealand with three other members of the familytwo daughters, and a son aged IS. They all came to Wanganui, taking up residence, first in Allison Street, Durie Hill. Latterly Mrs. Cromarty’ removed to Ridgway Street. It was a homely, well-furnished residence, where they dwelt, a happy family’, up till the time of the tragedy. MANLEY BEFORE COURT Manley appeared before Mr. J. H. Salmon, S.M., at the court on Saturday’, charged with the murder of Gladys Cromarty. The accused was escorted from the police station by Chief-Detective Walsh and Detective Revell. He appeared pale, blit was outwardly calm. A fair crowd collected, following the police officers and their charge. An over-eager photographer, anxious to obtain a snap of the accused in custody, received a hostile demonstration from the onlookers. Undeterred, he carried on. Accused entered the dock with , bowed head, and was shaking slightly. ! He listened to the charge read against I him, his eyes fixed straight in front. Detective Walsh applied for a remand to August IT, which was granted. Manley, who is 3S years of age, is sft 4in in height, and of slight stature. He is clean-shaven, and lightly feat- | ured. Some years ago, it is stated, he won £2,500 as the result of the Melbourne Cup. The funeral of the victim was held this afternoon, the interment taking place at the Aramoho cemetery. Throughout the journey groups of people had collected, awaiting the passing of the cortege. At the graveside about 500 people were in attendance, and sympathy for the bereaved family was very evident.