The Death of Mr Hooton.

Thames Star, Volume XIII, Issue 4357, 18 December 1882, Page 2

The Death of Mr Hooton.

Up till some three or four months ago Thomas Hooton, with his wife, resided at Coromandel, and while there made the acquaintance of the family of Mr Rayner. The Hootons, owing to the husband's intemperate habits, lived very unhappily together, and it is alleged that on one occasion he pursued his wife with a carving, knife, and threatened to take her life. Owing to his cruel treatment Mrs Hooton was frequently driven to seek refuge under the friendly roof of Mr Rayner, who on more than one occasion protected her from her husband's violence. Hooton does not seem to have appreciated the interference cf the Eayners, and indeed conceired.a violent dislike fo them, which found expression in threats and iriuendos when he was the worse of liquor. About three months ago the Hootons came to reside at Devonpqrt, where the Eayners had also taken up ■ their residence ; indeed, both families resided in the" same house. Hooton commenced business on the Queen street Wharf as a chemist and druggist, and though for a short time he was steady he soon relapsed into his old intemperate habits, and his wife led a life of even greater unhappiness than before. One day last week, stung to desperation by j his cruelty, she rushed into the part of the house occupied by the Bayners, and claimed their protection. This so incensed Hooton that he threatened to murder not only his wife but the Eayners also. The day after Mrs Hooton's flight, her husband borrowed £5 from a friend, ostensibly for the purpose of purchasing a revolver and' ammunition. Hooton proceeded to the North Shore on Monday evening last by the 8.30 boat. The Misses Rayner happened to be on the wharf as the ferry steamer came alongside. They at once recognised Hooton. and observing that he was armed, came to the conclusion that he was about to carry out his threats. They hastened home and gave the alarm, the family being in a state of expectant apprehension. It was surmised that Hooton would be at the house almost immediately after the girls, but as sometime elapsed, and he did not put in an appear* ance, they became somewhat re-assured. Presently a knock came to the dcor, and |tt Bayner, arming herself with a stick, proceeded to answer the summons. She did not think it was Hooton. Consequently her. terror was great when, on opening the door she found herself looking down the deadly black tube of a rej^plver presented. at her by the chemist. Fortunately Miss Eayne^B not a young lady who faints or goes; ijato hysterics at the sight of a pistol, so with admirable presence of mind she promptly struck the revolver upwards, the blow, apparently, at the same time causing Hooton's hand to relax its pressure on the trigger. The weapon was fully loaded, capped, and cocked. Just as Miss Rayner had performed this act of cool bravery, her younger sister and her father appeared on the scene, and without much ado wrested the revolver from his grasp, and handed him over to the police author rities. As the public are already aware, he was remanded until the 20th. Hooton has a brother employed in the establishment of Messrs Potter and Co., merchants, Durham street. Since his incarceration he wrote a letter to his brother fully expressing his determination to " shoot Rayner." Mrs Hooton states that she visited her husband in gaol yesterday, and that he then made use of threats that he would murder Rayner. He informed her that he had arranged with John (his brother) to look after the children. Hooton had been in the colony only three years, arriving at Wellington from England in the ship Marival in 1879. At the inquest held at the gaol, at two o'clock this afternoon, before Dr Philson, Edwin Rigerby, chief warder, deposed : When deceased was admitted he appeared all riftht, with the exception of a little sickness, apparently from the effects of drink. He was quite sensible, and answered all questions, put to him rationally. He was lodged in the "Awaiting Trial" department of the gaol. On the morning of Friday he appeared rational and engaged himself reading, taking his breakfast along with the others. Ha displayed no signs of insanity, nor did he appear to be suffering from delirium tremens. Last night, at about eight o'clock, after he had been put into his cell, he commenced calling about "opening public houses, calling for a drink, and complaining that he could not find the bar." This continued for some time, and witness was informed by the officer in charge that deceased did not sleep. No medicine was administered nor had he been seen by a medical man. About three o'clock the officers sent for the doctor, but before he arrived deceased expired. The medical testimony of Dr Goldsbro' shewed that death was caused by serous sanguinous apoplexy, and a verdict was returned accordingly.-—Star.