Timeline of important events

7.3 Timeline of important events

**For me, there are two extremely interesting things about the time line: the first is the spread of important time scales-- Herbert Rieper was born more than a century ago and yet, in places, it is important to know and distinguish between minutes, or pieces of minutes--and, second, is the the way that the continuity and interconnectedness of events becomes apparent and even emphasized when they are presented in this artificially- discrete format. Many entries here are open to debate and few are carved in stone, but I believe this is the most complete time line available, and I feel it is a valuable tool for trying to understand the "Parker Hulme" case. Debate, additions and corrections are welcomed. [jp]

[*] = event depicted in "Heavenly Creatures."

..........Start date. | Denotes official NZ school (& College) holiday period. |..............End date.

1873, June 16. *Canterbury University College founded, Christchurch, NZ. Campus to be located on Worcester Blvd, three blocks west of Cathedral Square, the heart of Christchurch.

1878 *Christchurch Girls' High School founded, under control of Canterbury University College, Christchurch, NZ.

1880 *Helen Connon (b Melbourne 1860, d 1903 Christchurch) becomes the first woman to graduate (BA) from Canterbury University College, Christchurch, NZ. The following year she obtains her MA degree (1st Class Honours) in English and Latin. An assistant mistress at Christchurch Girls' High School during this period (1878-1883). "No University was ever more fortunate in its first woman student than Canterbury College. Her combination of scholarship and dignity (and her beauty as well) placed a seal on the vocation of student for other young women, and evoked a tradition of chivalry among the men students." ["History of the University of Canterbury," WJ Gardner et al., p. 156.]

1882 *Christchurch Girls' High School moves to Cranmer Square site, two blocks north of Canterbury University College, Christchurch, NZ. Gloucester St lies between CUC and CGHS.

1883 *Helen Connon becomes an extremely influential and popular headmistress of Christchurch Girls' High School (1883-94) and establishes a scholarly tradition which encourages CGHS girls to seek degrees and prepares them for the academic rigors of University. CGHS assumes its role as a major 'feeder' school to CUC of qualified matriculated students. By 1885 enrollment of women at Canterbury College has risen to about 100. In 1893 women outnumber men, 176 to 164, although women students are still treated in an extremely patronizing manner, by admission of CUC historians.

1894, Oct. 22. *Herbert Detlev Rieper born to Claude Detlev Rieper (shop assistant, German origin) and Katie Thurza Stubbings, Strahan, Tasmania. [sb, G&L]

1908, Aug. 9. *Henry Rainsford Hulme born to James Rainsford Hulme and Alice Jane Smith in Southport, England.

1909 *Honora Mary Parker born to Robert William Parker (chartered accountant) and Amy Lilian Parker (aka 'Nana' Parker), Birmingham, England. [sb,G&L]

1910 *HD Rieper (aged 16) moves to New Zealand. [sb,G&L]

1912 *Hilda Marion Reavley (later Hulme, later Perry) born to Rev J Reavley (Anglican clergyman) and spouse ? [note: in or near Liverpool?? jp].

1914 *WW I begins.

*HD Rieper (aged 19) joins NZ army, eventually stationed in Cairo, Egypt. [G&L]

1915 *HD Rieper (aged 21) marries Louise McArthur (n‚e Mackrie, a divorced Englishwoman born in India, aged 34), Cairo, Egypt. [sb]

1918 *WW I ends on Armistice Day Nov. 11, 1918.

*HD Rieper (aged 23) and Louise Rieper return to Napier, NZ, located on the east coast of the North Island, on Hawke's Bay. [sb,G&L]

1919 *1st child of HD Rieper (aged 24) and Louise Rieper (aged 37) born, Napier, NZ. [sb,G&L]

1922 *HD Rieper (aged 27, bookkeeper) and Louise Rieper (aged 40) move to Raetihi, NZ, a small town located in the central North Island in a region known for skiing and market garden agriculture. [sb,G&L,lw,maw]

1924 *2nd child of HD Rieper (aged 29) and Louise Rieper (aged 43) born, Raetihi, NZ. [sb,G&L]

1927 *HM Parker (aged 18) emigrates to New Zealand. She eventually works for the same firm as HD Rieper in Raetihi, NZ, where the two meet. [sb,G&L]

1929 *HR Hulme graduates with BA (Math Tripos), Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge, UK. He begins study for the PhD degree at Cambridge, UK. Smiths' Prizeman, 1931.

1929-1931 (sometime in this period--probably early) *HM Parker (aged 20-22) and HD Rieper (aged 35-37) begin living together in Raetihi, NZ. HD Rieper and Louise Rieper never divorce, so HM Parker and HD Rieper can never marry. HD Rieper pays some support to his former family but apparently has no further contact with them. [G&L]

1932 *HR Hulme graduates with MA, PhD from Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge, UK.

1933 *Dr HR Hulme becomes Fellow, Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge, UK (1933-38). Travels to Leipzig, Germany [note: for post-doctoral study? jp] around this time.

1936 *HM Parker (aged 27) and HD Rieper (aged 42) move to a house in Mathesons Rd in the Phillipstown area of Christchurch, NZ. Christchurch is located on the east coast of the South Island at Pegasus Bay. Mathesons Rd is in a modest residential neighbourhood 2 km east of Cathedral Square, near Lancaster Park. HD Rieper eventually works as manager of Dennis Brothers Fish Supply nearby on east Hereford St. [sb,G&L,lw]

c.1936? *1st child, male, "blue baby," (cardio-pulmonary birth defects) born to HM Parker (aged 27) and HD Rieper (aged 42) in Christchurch, NZ. He dies soon after birth. [sb,G&L]

1936 *Dr HR Hulme becomes lecturer in mathematics, University of Liverpool, UK. [note: I believe Dr HR Hulme meets Hilda Marion Reavley around this time. jp]

1937, Mar. *Wendy Patricia Parker born to HM Parker (aged 28) and HD Rieper (aged 42), Christchurch, NZ.

1937, June *HM Reavley and Dr HR Hulme marry [note: in Liverpool? jp]. [G&L]

1938 *Dr HR Hulme assumes position of Chief Assistant at the Royal Observatory, Greenwich, London, UK. Dr HR Hulme and HM Hulme move to Greenwich (London suburb east of City on south shore of Thames). The Royal Observatory is located on a hill overlooking the Thames river valley. This is the location of the Greenwich Meridian, reference 'zero' for all lines of longitude, and time standards of the day. The Naval Academy is nearby, downhill on the Thames.

1938, May 26. *Pauline Yvonne Parker born to HM Parker (aged 29) and HD Rieper (aged 43) in Christchurch, NZ.

1938, Oct. 28. *Juliet Marion Hulme born to HM Hulme (aged 26) and Dr HR Hulme (aged 30), Greenwich, London, UK.

1939 *War declared. WW II begins.

*Dr HR Hulme goes on loan to the British Admiralty for the duration of the War.

1940-41 *JMH (aged 2) suffers 'bomb shock' [psychological trauma] in the London blitz when she is caught out in bombing during an air raid with her mother. Screaming nightmares and insomnia for many weeks.

1942 *JMH (aged 3) is bathed by her father, Dr HR Hulme (see 7.10.2.1) in Greenwich, London, UK.

1943 [*] *PYP (aged 5) hospitalized with severe osteomyelitis for 9 months. Life-threatening in acute stage; extreme pain, borne bravely, and surgery. Results in permanent physical disability and chronic discomfort and pain as a child. PYP will take painkillers as needed throughout childhood and adolescence. PYP's first memory.

1944, Mar. 22. *Jonathon Hulme born (in Greenwich?) to HM Hulme (aged 32) and Dr HR Hulme (aged 35). HM Hulme had serious post-partum medical problems and is hospitalized for an extended period. She testifies this situation was traumatic to JMH because she was "too ill to be visited in the nursing home." Would not have been statistically uncommon (esp. given the times) for HM Hulme to have had serious post-partum depression in addition to any physiological problems [note: Wording of some of HM Hulme's testimony leads me to speculate this may have been the case. jp].

1944, Aug. *Dr HR Hulme travels to America on War work. JMH is probably sent away to live in Liverpool at this time and probably attends school there. HM Hulme testified JMH separated from her "due to war conditions and her illness."

1944 (winter) *JMH (aged 6) contracts bronchitis and then near-fatal pneumonia in UK. Withdrawn from school. Remains ill for 2 years, absent from school during this time.

1945 *PYP (aged 7) undergoes second painful operation to drain infection from leg.

*Dr HR Hulme becomes Director of Naval Operational Research.

*VE Day ends WW II in Europe. VJ Day ends the War in the Pacific.

1946 *HD Rieper and HM Parker buy house at 31 Gloucester St, Christchurch, NZ, registered in HM Parker's name as "wife of Herbert Rieper." The house abuts CGHS at the rear and lies between CGHS and CUC, one block to the south. The CUC School of Fine Arts is located at 'Ross House,' a couple of houses east of Riepers on Gloucester at corner of Montreal St. There is a cerebral palsy school across the street from the Riepers' home, in a large converted house at 28 Gloucester St.

*Dr HR Hulme becomes Scientific Adviser to the Air Ministry, London, UK.

*JMH (aged 8) contracts severe pneumonia in UK.

1946, Nov. (probably) [*] *JMH (aged 8) sent alone to Bahamas by her parents on medical advice, for her health. Lives with another family for 13 months. Schooling unknown during this period.

1947, May 30. *Advertisement placed for position of full-time Rector, Canterbury University College, Christchurch, NZ in "the press of those countries of the Commonwealth peopled by British stock: Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa and the United Kingdom." ["A History of UC..."]

1947, Nov. 18. *Universities Bureau of the British Empire forwards recommendation of Dr HR Hulme for the position of Rector, CUC, to the University of New Zealand for approval.

1947, Nov. 23 (approx.). *Dr HR Hulme offered the position of Rector, Canterbury University College, Christchurch, NZ.

1947, Dec. (probably) *JMH (aged 9) sent to Bay of Islands, NZ, a historic location and popular holiday spot on the east coast of the northern tip of the North Island, to stay with another family. Schooling unknown during this period. [sb,lw]

1948 *Dr HR Hulme honoured by award of DSc degree, Cambridge University, UK.

*JMH (aged 10) sent to a sanatorium in North Island, NZ due to 'breakdown of health'. Evidence presented during trial that JMH has been traumatized by the accumulation of repeated separations from her family by this time.

1948, Feb. 19. *Christchurch Marriage Guidance Council formed. Modelled on the British Marriage Guidance Council, considered a daring and progressive organization. HM Hulme will join in 1949 and became a prominent member and counsellor. Others she will meet through the Council include: Dean AK Warren, Anglican Bishop of Christchurch, Dr Mel Aitken, Dr M Bevan-Brown (psychiatrist who would write on the case later), Dr Eleanor Mears, Rex Abernethy (magistrate who later presided over PYP's arraignment on charge of murder) and Dr FO Bennett (GP who examined PYP, then later both PYP and JMH, testifying at trial).[G&L]

1948, Oct. 16 (Sat). *HM Hulme (aged 36) & Dr HR Hulme (aged 40) arrive with Jonathon (aged 4) in Christchurch, New Zealand, joined by JMH (aged 9), who is described by HM Hulme during the trial as extremely clinging and dependent on HM Hulme and difficult to discipline, after being reunited with her family. Location of residence unknown, but probably in Riccarton, Fendalton or Merivale areas just west/north of Hagley Park.

*Dr HR Hulme (aged 40) assumes post of Rector, Canterbury University College, Christchurch, NZ.

1949, Jan. *Dr HR Hulme votes logically, with his conscience, against rescinding the decision already made in the prior August by University Senate not to establish School of Forestry at CUC. This vote at a University Senate meeting was one of his first acts as Rector of CUC. This was a critical political blunder, viewed as unforgiveable disloyalty by the two governing bodies at CUC [note: Dr Hulme's vote would not have swung the decision either way, according to the numbers. jp]. Dr HR Hulme's tenure as Rector of CUC is irreversibly marred by this irrelevant vote. Later, the School of Forestry is moved to CUC anyway.

1949, end of January (probably). *JMH (aged 11), "in poor health," (according to HM Hulme's testimony) is sent away to private boarding school ("Queenswood" according to Jackson) in Hastings, NZ, located on the east coast of the North Island, on The Hawke's Bay. Severely unhappy there, she returns to her family within the year. Schooling for the remainder of 1949 is probably by private tutor.

*In NZ the Labour Government (14-year tenure) is voted out of office and replaced by more conservative National Government. Beginning of extreme fiscal austerity for CUC and "probably one of the most depressing times the College passed through ['50-52]". ["A History of..."]

1949, Mar. *Rosemary Parker born with Downs' Syndrome to HM Parker (aged 40) and HD Rieper (aged 54) in Christchurch, NZ.

1949, Nov. *Dr HR Hulme's private, offhand remarks about a CUC Council member, made earlier in Wellington, NZ, at a Senate meeting, are discussed in Christchurch as being "disloyal to the Council" in one of its meetings. Dr HR Hulme will learn over and again that gossip travels far and fast in his new home and there are no secrets, and nothing is too trivial for intense scrutiny and critical discussion.

1949, Dec. *CUC School of Fine Art moved to Ilam site. This will be the only CUC presence at the site for years; most Fine Arts students are women. School located near Ilam homestead and adjacent to farmland and horse paddocks (probably the ones used secretly by PYP and JMH in late '52 and into early '53 for midnight, full-tilt galloping rides by moonlight [see G&L]).

1950 *NZ sends small force to Korea to support UN forces.

*Dr HR Hulme moves his family to the Ilam homestead as a political statement of support for plan to relocate CUC to a new campus at Ilam.

*JMH attends Ilam School, across Ilam Rd from Ilam homestead and "is happy there" according to HM Hulme. Probably attends Ilam School for 1950 (aged 11-12) and 1951 (aged 12-13).

1950, Sept. 9. *Ross House site that was vacated by CUC School of Fine Art lost by CUC to CGHS--it is torn down, paved over and tennis courts are built for CGHS. (see 3.1.5.2).

1951 *The Colombo Plan started. Ceylonese students begin educational exchange program at U of NZ campuses, especially CUC, which takes up to about 10 annually.

*Rosemary Parker institutionalized at age 2 at Templeton Hospital Farm, located outside Christchurch about 20 km west of the Rieper's home. HD Rieper testified Rosemary was visited regularly and taken home occasionally; the #25 bus went from Cathedral Square to Templeton Hospital. PYP was said to be very fond of Rosemary. Templeton Hospital located near Paparua Prison. [note: See 3.2.10.1. Medlicott states Rosemary was aged 3 at the time of her institutionalization, and date this one year later. jp]

1952. *Cerebral Palsy School at 28 Gloucester St closed when CUC Dept of Education takes over the house. Is there a connection with institutionalization of Rosemary?

1952, after week of Feb. 2 (beginning of school) [Third Form] [*] *JMH (aged 13) arrives @ Christchurch Girls' High School (CGHS), late. Evidence JMH was enrolled briefly at private Anglican Girls' School (St Margaret's, located north of Hagley Park, 3 km from Ilam). HM Hulme explains in testimony her decision to send JMH to CGHS as being due to JMH's high IQ, more suited to the stimulation of a larger, diverse public school environment. HM Hulme is a member of the Board of Governors of CGHS and Dr HR Hulme works two blocks away from CGHS--these may also have been important factors. PYP (aged 13) is already a new student at CGHS in the top academic stream, Form IIIA.

1952, Feb. 6. *Death of King George VI. Princess Elizabeth abroad in Kenya (in the 'Treetops,') returns home to succeed to the Crown next day, declared Sovereign on Feb. 8. Coronation plans begin soon after, date announced on April 29. The British Commonwealth begins to gear up to change and, in the end, celebration of the beginning of Elizabeth's reign.

1952, May 4 (Sun). First Term [Third Form] ends. ..........May holidays begin. | 1952, May 5 (Mon) - 10 (Sat). | *CUC "Capping Festival Week" -- traditionally a wild | and boisterous time is had, very publicly, by all... | 1952, May 19 (Mon). |..............May Holiday ends. Second Term [Third Form] begins. *HM Hulme testified during trial that the friendship between JMH and PYP begins in earnest in the Second Term of Third Form.

1952, May 26 (Mon). *PYP 14th birthday.

1952, June (approx). *JMH tells HM Hulme: "Mummy, I've met someone at last with a will as strong as my own." This is PYP. [Medlicott]

1952, Aug. 17 (Sun). Second Term [Third Form] ends. ..........August holidays begin. | 1952, August. | [*] *PYP and JMH bicycle ride and ecstatic disrobing. | PYP states to Medlicott that before this, she & JMH had | just been friends, but after this there was an | indissoluble bond between them. | 1952, Sept. 8 (Mon). |..............August Holidays end. Third Term [Third Form] begins.

1952, Oct. 28 (Tues). *JMH 14th birthday.

1952, Nov. 1 (Sat). *The United States explodes the first thermonuclear Hydrogen-bomb in an above-ground test at Eniwetok Atoll, in the South Pacific. Cold War escalates.

1952, Dec. *CUC Graduation ceremonies are wild: PA system sabotaged, Dr HR Hulme's speech drowned out, Bishop Warren butt of practical joke with a halo lowered over his head, goat brought out for a diploma. Note Warren's participation--and Anglican Church, by extension.

1952, Dec. 21 (Sun). Third Term ends [End of Third Form]. ..........Summer holidays begin. (remember how good these were??) | 1953, Jan. 1 (Thurs). | [*] *PYP Diary: PYP begins detailed diary entries with a | New Year resolution to be lenient, & a summary of 1952 | highlights. | 1953, Jan. 5 (Mon). | *PYP Diary: housework. | 1953, January. (for approx. 2 weeks) | *PYP visits farm in North Canterbury County as a city | girl recommended by her church, East Belt Methodist. | | *PYP Diary: Records flirtations with older boy and her | jealousy of younger, rival girl. Wendy also attends. | 1953, Jan. 10 (Sat). | *PYP Diary: mustering sheep. | 1953, Jan. 14 (Wed). | *PYP Diary: diary found by men who leave note in it.

1953, January. (late) | *PYP Diary: intends to do well at school. | | *JMH and PYP worry about upcoming school and are | consoled and tutored by Dr HR Hulme. (see 7.10.2.1). | 1953, Jan. 31 (Sat). | *PYP Diary: HM Parker says they will have 'Training | College' boarders. These are Teachers' Training College | students, so PYP may not have been intellectually | starved at home. Was this the beginning of the | boarders? | 1953, Feb. 2 (Mon). |..............Summer holidays end. First Term begins. [Beginning of Fourth Form] *PYP buys a horse secretly around this time, and hides the fact from her family. HD Rieper finds out 3 months later, when PYP has difficulty with grazing fees, but he relents and allows PYP to keep the horse, thinking it will distract her from her friendship with JMH, so there is already serious concern about the relationship in the Rieper house by April, 1953. HD Rieper testified PYP had ridden horses for years.

1953, Feb. 9 (Mon). *PYP Diary: boarder Harry arrives.

1953, Feb. 10 (Tues). *PYP Diary: boarder Ross and housework.

1953, Feb. 13 (Fri). *PYP Diary: breakfast for boarder Harry.

*Disastrous fire at CUC, 4 am, witnessed by Dr HR Hulme. Huge loss of facilities, and severe inconvenience and hardship for faculty and students will last for 5 years. Ignites bitter and public controversy about Ilam relocation plans.

1953, Feb. 18 (Wed). *PYP Diary: boarder Ron arrives.

1953, Feb. 20 (Fri). *PYP Diary: boarder Ross.

1953, Feb. 22 (Sun). *PYP Diary: trip to Brighton beach with Ron, Wendy, HM Parker.

1953, Mar. 4 (Wed). *PYP Diary: enquiries about board, including Frenchman.

1953, Mar. 9 (Mon). *PYP Diary: boarder John, homework, "damn."

1953, Mar. 11 (Wed). *PYP Diary: dinner with Ross, John and Juliet at Riepers'.

1953, Mar. 15 (Sun). *PYP Diary: kisses from HM Hulme.

1953, Mar. 18 (Wed). [*] *PYP Diary: genius.

1953, Mar. 20 (Fri). *PYP Diary: Lancaster Park for school sports day and writing poetry together instead of watching games.

1953, April. *HM Hulme re-elected as Vice-President of Christchurch Marriage Guidance Council.

1953, April 18 (Sat). [*] *PYP Diary: nocturnal activities in Ilam gardens.

1953, April 23 (Thurs). *PYP Diary: HM Hulme says she wishes PYP were her daughter, too.

1953, May 3 (Sun). First Term [Fourth Form] ends. ..........May holidays begin. | | *HM Hulme visits Riepers. HM Parker proposes JMH stay | with them while Hulmes are abroad on their upcoming | trip to the UK. Friendship ... and board money? The | Riepers were already worried about the relationship, | so why invite JMH into their home? To keep an eye on | things? To exert some control? | 1952, May 4 (Mon) - 9 (Sat). | *CUC "Capping Festival Week" celebrations and | bacchanalia. | 1953, May 15 (Fri). | *PYP Diary: Juliet diagnosed with TB. | 1953, May 16 (Sat). | [*] *PYP Diary: wretched night, wishes to get TB, too. | 1952, May 18 (Mon). |..............May Holidays end. Second Term [Fourth Form] begins.

1953, May 21 (Thurs). [*] *JMH is confined to Cashmere Sanatorium with TB for nearly four months (will miss end of Second and all of Third school term, 1/3 of Fourth Form in all. Never again returns to school. Will never attend University. All told, JMH attends CGHS for less than 3 terms... yet it makes an indellible impression on her. See 7.10.2.1).

1953, May (late). *PYP Diary: brainwave!--write letters with Juliet.

1953, May 23 (Sat). *HM Hulme, Wendy attend 'Christchurch Competitions.'

1953, May 26 (Tues). *PYP 15th birthday.

1953, May 28 (Thurs). [*] *Dr HR Hulme & HM Hulme leave for travels abroad (UK). Officially, Dr HR Hulme is to attend 1953 Congress of the Association of Universities of the British Commonwealth. In fact, it is also a hunt for a senior- level job for Dr HR Hulme. There is evidence he does not secure a job offer during the trip. HM Hulme testifies JMH sends them only 1 short note while they are away. [note: My speculation was always that this was a senior-position job hunt by Dr HR Hulme, probably for a senior academic position at Cambridge, hence essential that HM Hulme attend as 'wife-of-the- applicant-and-potential-mistress-of-the-college'. Job hunt at urging of small group of University Council now confirmed. Dr HR Hulme is by now very unpopular at CUC [ad]. Also, HM Hulme may have suspected Dr HR Hulme of extra-marital activities, according to published rumour, and may have wanted to keep an eye on him. The lingering Coronation festivities may have also figured in HM Hulme's desire to go along, though they would have missed the actual event. No doubt HM Hulme could also visit friends and family; the Hulmes have been away from 'home' for nearly 5 years by this point. G&L list this trip simply as a "holiday," not mentioning the job hunt and completely missing the point, I think. What was done with Jonathon? Knowing the arrangements for him would be very informative. jp]

1953, May 29 (Fri). *Mr Edmund Hillary, a New Zealand beekeeper, and Sherpa Tensing Norkey conquor the summit of Mount Everest in the Himalayas for the first time.

*PYP Diary: PYP complimented on her 'Oxford' accent.

1953, June 2 (Tues). *News of the conquest of Everest reaches the world.

*Coronation of Elizabeth II at Westminster Abbey.

*Hillary knighted and Tensing awarded George medal.

1953, June 12 (Fri). *PYP Diary: School trip to see film "A Queen is Crowned." PYP Unimpressed.

1953, June 14 (Sun). *PYP Diary: create new religion with JMH.

1953, June (late). *PYP sneaking out to meet Ceylonese CUC exchange students. JMH also said to be very interested in these students because they were exotic and, given the prestige of the program and the rigorous selection process, very intelligent and accomplished.

1953, July 2 (Thurs). *WAB (Bill) Perry arrives in NZ.

1953, July. *PYP goes to bed with one Ceylonese student.

[*] *PYP goes to bed with 'Nicholas.' H Rieper catches him in her bed. He is thrown out of Rieper house.

1953, Aug. 9 (Wed). *PYP Diary: visit Juliet in the Sanatorium.

1953, Sept. 9 (Wed) [*] *JMH is released from TB sanatorium 'uncured,' on the understanding HM Hulme will nurse her at home.

*JMH will not return to school 'due to continuing illness.' She recovers at Ilam, with PYP's progressively more constant companionship.

*PYP Diary: Juliet's return wonderful. PYP believes she could fall in love with Juliet.

1953, Sept. *PYP still sneaking out to see Nicholas, to 4-5 a.m.

*PYP and Nicholas attempt to have sex but stop as it is too painful for PYP.

1953, Oct. 8 (Thurs). *PYP Diary: PYP & JMH continue relationship unmolested.

1953, Oct. (soon after 8th) [*] *PYP and Nicholas have sex in his rooms. PYP states to Medlicott: "It wasn't for me, I wasn't interested."

1953, Oct. 20 (Tues). *Boistrous public meeting critical of CUC Ilam relocation plan, widely reported in Christchurch press.

1953, Oct. 28 (Wed). *JMH 15th birthday.

*PYP Diary: PYP informs Nicholas she is no longer very much in love with him.

1953, Nov. 2 (Mon). *PYP Diary: PYP depressed & contemplates suicide.

1953, Nov. 4 (Wed). *NZ Parliament discusses CUC Ilam relocation plans for a whole hour... flap caused in Christchurch is large.

1953, Nov. *PYP continues to see Nicholas, talking frequently through the night with him.

1953, Nov. 28 (Sat). *PYP Diary: planning Diello's Coronation.

1953, Dec. 9 (Wed). *Dr HR Hulme consults Dr FO Bennett about girls' relationship. JMH will not be examined by Dr Bennett.

*HD Rieper testified that Dr HR Hulme came to advise HM Parker at her request concerning JMH and PYP's relationship. Dr HR Hulme's consultation with Dr Bennett could have been instigated by HM Parker's request and followed by a visit with HM Parker to discuss the relationship and what to do about it.

*HM Hulme testified that she advised HM Parker to seek medical advice for PYP because HM Parker had expressed concern to her about PYP's loss of weight and about her relationship with JMH.

1953, Dec. 10 (Thurs). *PYP Diary: Diello's Coronation is tomorrow.

1953, Dec. 11 (Fri). *JMH and PYP crown Diello King of Borovnia in elaborate Coronation ceremony.

*JMH & PYP change their names to Deborah and Gina now? see SMH 24/8/54, HM Hulme's testimony.

1953, Dec. 14 (Mon). [*] *HM Parker takes PYP to be examined by Dr FO Bennett. Result of this examination is threat by HM Parker to forbid PYP seeing JMH 'unless PYP's health improves.'

*PYP Diary: saw Nicholas, then Mother carted her off to see a doctor, then saw "Pandora and the Flying Dutchman."

1953, Dec. 20 (Sun). [*] *PYP Diary: PYP depressed by HM Parker's threat of permanent separation from JMH and considers suicide.

1954, Feb. 6 (Sat). *PYP Diary: celebrated 'Him's Day' in glittering black and went through 'Saints day ritual.'

1954, Feb. 13 (Sat). [*] *PYP Diary: wishes death for HM Parker & HD Rieper.

[note: There is also an important clue in this entry that HM Hulme is now the target of malicious gossip by HM Parker. jp]

1954, Feb. 21 (Sun). *PYP Diary: PYP complimented on her 'English' accent.

1954, Feb. 28 (Sun). [*] *PYP Diary: first mention of 'Hollywood' plan.

1954, March. *HM Hulme re-elected as Vice-President of Christchurch Marriage Guidance Council.

1954, March 1 (Mon) or 2 (Tues). *Dr HR Hulme is asked in writing by his colleagues to resign as Rector after Professorial Board debate, nominally about a technical impropriety in communicating a Prof Board report on building to CUC Coucil. [sb,ad]

1954, Mar. 4 (Thurs). *Dr HR Hulme tenders his official resignation as Rector of Canterbury University College.

*Soon after this, the "First Plan" was formulated by Dr HR Hulme and HM Hulme (and probably WAB Perry). HM Hulme testified this plan was for Dr HR Hulme to return to the UK alone, leaving both children with her through the English winter, for the sake of JMH's health. She testified that she and the children were to rejoin Dr HR Hulme after the winter had passed. This is probably the 'official' version of the "First Plan." The reasons given were probably [note: my speculation. jp] pure fiction for the courts and newspapers. It is very doubtful HM Hulme planned to rejoin Dr HR Hulme with the children, and it is quite possible Dr HR Hulme had decided to leave the whole mess behind him at this stage, coming so soon after the undeniable reality of his resignation letter. WAB Perry testified that Dr HR Hulme was well aware of his having fallen in love with HM Hulme because there had been no deception.

*Around this time JMH asks WAB Perry to sell her horse for her. He testified he bought it from her for 50 [pounds] but did not know at the time why JMH wanted to sell it.

1954, Mar. 14 (Sun). [*] *PYP Diary: HM Parker says she won't keep PYP in school.

1954, Mar. 19 (Fri). *PYP Diary: "Stew" and HM Hulme intercede to try and keep PYP in school.

1954, Mar. 31 (Wed). *PYP Diary: sneers at ignorance of her family circle.

1954, April 6 (Tues). *PYP Diary: jingles in bed with JMH.

1954, April 7 (Wed). *PYP Diary: glee at having a light-fingered scapegoat.

[note: This was probably WAB Perry's housekeeper. WAB Perry testified that his housekeeper had left Ilam around the middle of April, before Easter... probably fired when valuables started to disappear from Ilam, since PYP and JMH's petty thievery was noted in the trial. And, also, letting the housekeeper go would mean that WAB Perry would become alone in his flat at Ilam. Michaelanne Forster may have patterned her fictional housekeeper Bridget O'Malley, in "Daughters of Heaven," on these kinds of speculations. See 6.1. jp]

1954, April 10 (Sat). *PYP Diary: HM Parker goes to see Miss Stewart.

1954, April 11 (Sun). [*] *PYP Diary: "we are so brilliantly clever..."

1954, April 13 (Tues). *PYP Diary: row [argument] with Wendy.

1954, April 15 (Thurs). *PYP Diary: JMH and PYP read their books to each other.

1954, April 16 (Fri). (Good Friday) ..........Easter holidays begin. | *PYP spends Easter Holidys at Ilam, according to | HD Rieper's testimony. | | *PYP Diary: singing and turning into a male. | 1954, April 17 (Sat). | *PYP Diary: sneaking into Mr Perry's flat, then rowdy | behaviour, Ten Commandments listed to be broken. | | [note: The timing of this, and HM Hulme's reaction, are | very suggestive of WAB Perry's housekeeper having been | let go immediately prior, and JMH sneaking around in | WAB Perry's now-more-vacant flat to pry and snoop. She | may have suspected her mother and WAB Perry of having | an affair, and may have been looking for evidence. | Previous analysis (and the trial) put most emphasis | on the 'Ten Commandments' aspect. jp] | 1954, April 19 (Mon). (Easter Monday) |..............Easter holidays end.

1954, April 21 (Wed). [*] *PYP Diary: PYP starts vocational training at Digby's Commercial College after unsuccessful job search with 'the Airways'. [sb]

1954, April 22 (Thurs). [*] *JMH catches HM Hulme and WAB Perry in flagrante in his flat [note: Both HM Hulme and WAB Perry denied this at trial, providing an alternative story. jp]

[*] *JMH lets slip to her mother the plans for JMH and PYP to go to America, without giving her a detailed explanation. WAB Perry gives JMH 100 [pounds] "for permits" to travel abroad. [note: Discussed at length and interpreted in the trial as JMH blackmailing WAB Perry. Blackmail denied by WAB Perry. jp]

1954, April 23 (Fri). *PYP Diary: Tosca, then account of HM Hulme & WAB Perry being caught in flagrante by JMH late night 22nd (2am 23rd).

*HM Hulme informs Dr HR Hulme: a) JMH knows of HM Hulme and WAB Perry being in love, b) JMH and PYP are planning to go to America together. [note: I believe it is JMH accidentally disclosing the plans for America which is pivotal, judging by trial testimony, comments and coming events. I suspect HM Hulme seized upon those plans as a way to deflect Dr HR Hulme's anger, and shift the focus of attention, concern and blame to JMH. jp]

1954, April 24 (Sat). [*] *PYP Diary: Dr HR Hulme discusses with PYP and JMH their plans to go to America. "...what is to be the future now?"

[note: I believe Dr HR Hulme was collecting information to check HM Hulme's story and because he needed data to make decisions. I believe he told JMH and PYP that their plans weren't realistic and he probably tried to reason with JMH and PYP to discourage them from following through on their plans. I doubt he took any of their plans in any way seriously, but he probably viewed the plans as being symptomatic of a serious problem--a spanner in the works. He may have told PYP and JMH of his resignation at this time; he may not have. Regardless, I believe he told them that there may have been travel plans in the air, offering them a number of possible, nebulous scenarios as alternatives to their own "travel to America" plans, to stall for time, without committing himself to any course of action. I don't believe he told them of plans for divorce. Dr HR Hulme is beginning to believe that the "First Plan" of retreat is not viable; I can imagine he is now getting very angry with HM Hulme for placing yet another problem in his path. I believe he starts to have grave doubts about HM Hulme's ability to cope with JMH, if she is going to be a 'problem,' and he questions the wisdom of leaving the children behind with her. He does not yet have enough data to formulate a "Second Plan" and he also may need confirmation that the 'problem' he perceives with JMH is a real one, needing to be dealt with, or not. I believe he discloses none of these thoughts to HM Hulme at this point in time. jp]

1954, April 25 (Sun). [*] *PYP Diary: divorce! --sympathy, soaring, plunging, vowing to "stick together."

[note: Finally, the subject of divorce is broached after another whole day of thought and planning by Dr HR Hulme. The situation is played out as a sad tragedy by the adults, evoking tremendous sympathy from PYP, not blame or anger, and extreme uneasiness at the uncertainty of it all. jp]

1954, April 28 (Wed). [*] *PYP Diary: 'Digby's,' JMH @ PYP's, girls bathe together, PYP felt suicidal, writes of PYP's desire to "rid myself of this obstacle"--HM Parker--for first time.

1954, April 29 (Thurs). [*] *PYP Diary: PYP states JMH not told of PYP's plans for removing HM Parker.

1954, April 30 (Fri). *PYP Diary: first mention of telling JMH about "intentions" regarding Mother.

[note: I think the date of this entry is an extremely important error in trial transcripts, stated there to be April 13. The Press and G&L give April 30. jp]

1954, May 1 (Sat). *PYP Diary: HM Hulme's "lovely remark"--"Won't it be wonderful when we are all back in England, Gina." PYP and JMH don't sleep together fearing Dr HR Hulme catching them.

[note: An absolutely key entry for many reasons, including the way it shows that Dr HM Hulme has not yet finished formulating the "Second Plan" nor has he told HM Hulme of it. She would not have made such a remark if she had known of the "Second Plan." I believe this is also her way of "putting the plans for America out of their heads" which HM Hulme had testified to doing. In addition, it also shows that Dr HR Hulme was collecting data on the girls' relationship. They had obviously noticed his increased/renewed awareness of their actions and behaviour over the last week. jp]

1954, May 2 (Sun). First Term [Fifth Form] ends. ..........May holiday begins. | 1952, May 3 (Mon) - 8 (Sat). | *CUC "Capping Festival Week" celebrations and | bacchanalia. | 1954, May 6 (Thurs). | *PYP Diary: gloriously happy, love our new fianc‚s. | 1954, May 8 (Sat). | *Dr HR Hulme again consults Dr Bennett about girls' | relationship. This is exactly 8 weeks prior to the | planned date of departure of Dr HR Hulme and his | children according to the "Second Plan." | | [note: This consultation came after a whole week of | Dr HR Hulme weighing his choices, and his making | observations of PYP and JMH, and of HM Hulme and WAB | Perry. I believe there was disagreement among adults | over the need for a "Second Plan." I believe Dr FO | Bennett told Dr HR Hulme essentially what was in his | later testimony, namely that PYP and JMH's relationship | had become overtly homosexual. Given standard medical | opinion and practise of the day, Dr FO Bennett probably | advised in favour of active intervention, to 'reverse' | or 'stave off' JMH becoming irreversibly homosexual. | I believe it was Dr FO Bennett, in this consultation, | who convinced Dr HR Hulme of the need for separating | JMH from PYP immediately. And this was when Dr HR Hulme | enlisted Dr FO Bennett as an ally. | This was when Dr HR Hulme committed himself to the | "Second Plan." The "Second Plan" was to abandon HM | Hulme and WAB Perry to their own devices, and to take | custody of Jonathon, and to deliver JMH to South Africa | to stay with an aunt (Ina?). | It cannot be coincidence that this is exactly 8 | weeks before the planned departure date. I propose that | Dr HR Hulme bought his passage on May 8. It was | probably necessary for him to book all tickets or pay | a financial penalty he could not afford. This was the | decision he had to make on May 8, 1954: purchase one | passage home to England, or three? | According to conventional medical wisdom at the | time, lesbianism was caused by an overly-close | association between a daughter and her mother [see | G&L], and this could have been used to justify the | "Second Plan" had there been argument from HM Hulme. No | doubt, Dr HR Hulme also used the threat of 'adultery' | on the divorce petition, and the threat of publicity | and courtroom proof of HM Hulme as an 'unfit mother' to | secure the release of Jonathon to his care. At this | point Dr HR Hulme had absolutely nothing to lose, which | probably made him seem desperate and 'dangerous' and | not worth taking on, to WAB Perry and HM Hulme. | It is also possible that HM Hulme and WAB Perry | did not fight too hard to retain custody of JMH and | Jonathon. jp] | 1954, May. | *HM Hulme resigns from Christchurch Marriage Guidance | Council. [note: G&L report that Council was stunned, | so this may have been a pre-emptive resignation, or | the statement historical revisionism. G&L also mention | that Council didn't recover from the scandal of HM | Hulme for years; she managed to break nearly all | charter principles of the Council in her private life | over a very short period of time. The Council still | distances itself from her. jp] | 1954, May ("Around time PYP staying at Ilam after Easter"). | *HD Rieper gave confusing and inconsistent testimony | about the following critical events and especially the | timing of them, indicating he was probably out of the | decision-making loop. It appears as if he may have | been 'concerned' or even annoyed by PYP's behaviour, | but it also seems clear he didn't really perceive a | crisis condition--he just didn't pay close attention. | Clearly, HM Parker got in touch with Dr HR Hulme | again, with new concerns about PYP and JMH's | relationship (HD Rieper's testimony was consistent | about this). Clearly, she was told by Dr HR Hulme | that he would be leaving NZ with JMH in a matter of | weeks (the date of the conversation and length of time | to departure were the most inconsistent parts of HD | Rieper's testimony). And, clearly, it was HM Parker | who made the decision to allow PYP "to see as much of | Juliet as she desired, pending her departure." | | [note: Why did HM Parker approach Dr HR Hulme again? | I think it is possible the Dr FO Bennett may have | contacted HM Parker again after Dr HR Hulme's | consultation, to convince/confirm for her the | seriousness of the situation and to suggest she discuss | the matter with Dr HR Hulme. | When are JMH and PYP told of the "Second Plan?" | This is such a critical question, but there is no clear | answer. The diary record is, unfortunately, incomplete | through most of May. I suspect that the "Second Plan" | was fully discussed between Dr HR Hulme, HM Hulme and | WAB Perry late in the first week of May, and Dr FO | Bennett was consulted as "the final word"--he knew both | Hulmes independently and well. The Riepers were | probably called by Dr FO Bennett on May 8, and HM | Parker probably called Dr HR Hulme the next day, Sunday | May 9, HD Rieper's day off. JMH and PYP were probably | informed simultaneously by their respective parents on | the Sunday night, May 9, or very soon thereafter. | HM Hulme testified that JMH pleaded for PYP to be | taken to South Africa with her. HM Hulme also testified | that both families spent some time explaining to both | girls that PYP could not possibly accompany JMH. There | are no published diary records to support or refute | these statements. jp] | 1954, May 17 (Mon). |..............May Holiday ends. Second Term [Fifth Form] would have begun.

1954, May 23 (Sun). *PYP Diary: Mr Perry taken ill, PYP worried that his death would "spoil everything."

[note: A fascinating entry, interpreted in trial as indicating PYP and JMH were worried about losing WAB Perry as blackmail victim. WAB Perry discounted this, again stating there was nothing to be blackmailed about. I agree. More likely is that JMH and PYP have modified their 'escape plans.' I propose that the "Hollywood" plan has been abandoned and PYP and JMH are now planning to meet in South Africa; JMH will accompany Dr HM Hulme and her brother, while PYP will fly and meet JMH there. This makes Dr HR Hulme the agent of their staying together and PYP's salvation from her parents. PYP and JMH logic: If WAB Perry had died then JMH would have probably had to stay with HM Hulme, not go to South Africa. PYP can only be with JMH if they leave Christchurch; to stay meant PYP staying with her parents, and being subject to their control. jp]

1954, May 26 (Wed). *PYP 16th birthday.

1954, May 27 (Thurs). *PYP Diary: thwarted robbery of safe.

1954, May 29 (Sat). *PYP Diary: Saints' anatomies.

1954, June 3 (Thurs). *Official farewell ceremony for Dr HR Hulme as Rector of Canterbury University College in College Hall.

*PYP Diary: wonderful photo of Dr Hulme.

1954, June 6 (Sun). [*] *PYP Diary: PYP & JMH are 'mad.' So is Dr Hulme.

*In the coming week, JMH will ask WAB Perry about the air fare to South Africa. He replies it is about 150 [pounds]. She replies "good" because they already have about 100 [pounds]. [WAB Perry testimony]

1954, June 7 (Mon). *PYP Diary: discussion of Saints' having sex while eating.

1954, June 8 (Tues). *PYP Diary: telepathy in dreams.

1954, June 9 (Wed). *PYP Diary: 'Digby's' then disagreement with HM Parker.

1954, June 10 (Thurs). *PYP Diary: sex education and felt close to Deborah.

1954, June 11 (Fri). [*] *PYP begins 'last visit' with JMH @ Hulme residence (Ilam), with HM Parker's blessing, for 10 days before planned JMH departure for South Africa. [HD Rieper testimony]

[*] *PYP Diary: trip to cinema to see 'IT,' 'enacting Saints making love' with JMH.

1954, June 12 (Sat). *Departure date for Dr HR Hulme and children confirmed and "set" for exactly 3 weeks from today, according to HM Hulme testimony.

*PYP Diary: spent night hectically.

1954, June 13 (Sun). [*] *PYP Diary: hectic night going through the Saints,

discovering Bliss and Sin.

1954, June 14 (Mon). *PYP Diary: discussed spicy ideas and spent a glorious Saintly day.

1954, June 15 (Tues). *PYP Diary: beautiful dreams of Port Levy.

*HM Hulme spends day at Port Levy--object of much confusing testimony and cross-examination during trial, with Crown Prosecutor Brown probably trying to get HM Hulme to admit that she and WAB Perry used Port Levy as a 'love nest' all this time.

1954, June 16 (Wed). *PYP Diary: hectic night going through the Saints until 5:30 a.m.

1954, June 17 (Thurs). *PYP Diary: didn't misbehave.

1954, June 18 (Fri). *PYP Diary: planned our moiders in our operas.

1954, June 19 (Sat). [*] *PYP Diary: HM Parker moider planned with JMH @ Ilam, and had a simply wonderful time in every posible way.

1954, June 20 (Sun). [*] *PYP leaves Ilam. Driven by HD Rieper with the Rieper family to visit Rosemary Parker at Templeton Farm. (see 3.2.10.1).

[*] *PYP Diary: moider plans discussed with JMH @ Ilam.

1954, June 21 (Mon). *PYP tells HM Parker she will start a new job on following Monday 28th. PYP proposes a trip to Victoria Park to celebrate, and proposes JMH to come with them. HM Parker agrees, and tells HD Rieper of these things. [HD Rieper testimony]

*JMH gets phone call from PYP inviting her to Victoria Park. [HM Hulme and WAB Perry testimony--probably trying to implicate PYP as instigator, in the trial. PYP diary stated JMH called PYP.]

[*] *PYP Diary: PYP back home, rose late, helped HM Parker, details of chosen murder method given. Excitement and anticipation. Murder tomorrow.

1954, June 22 (Tues). [*] *PYP Diary: "The Day of The Happy Event." [*] 10:30 *JMH collects half-brick from a pile beside Ilam garage. She is driven downtown by HR Hulme, dropped off at Beaths Store, on Cashel St, just east of Colombo St, one block south of Cathedral Square, for "personal" shopping. HM Hulme describes JMH as happy, calm and affectionate that morning. [*] 11:00 *JMH arrives @ Riepers with half-brick. Chat with HM Parker in kitchen. Went up to PYP's room where PYP placed half-brick in stocking, knotting it. PYP placed weapon into school shoulder bag. JMH had pink stone in her pocket, taken from a brooch. [*] 11:45 *HD Rieper arrives home and works in garden. [*] Noon *Lunch, a happy affair, with laughing, jokes. PYP, JMH, HD Rieper, HM Parker, Wendy Parker. HD Rieper and Wendy return to work after lunch, leaving HM Parker, JMH and PYP to clean up. [*] 1:30 *HM Parker, JMH and PYP leave house for Cathedral Square where they catch #2 bus to The Tahake, Victoria Park Terminus in Cashmere Hills. [*] 2:35 *JMH, PYP, HM Parker arrive @ The Tahake, Victoria Park Terminus. Walk uphill to the Tea Kiosk. HM Parker had tea, JMH and PYP had soft drinks (one lemon, one orange). All ate cakes and scones. Chatted to Agnes Ritchie. Two other customers. [*] 3:05 *HM Parker, PYP and JMH leave tea kiosk, enter the Park through a gap in stone wall and set off on a steep path. [*] 3:20 *(approx). 420 yards along they cross a small wooden bridge. JMH drops stone. The three turn back after a few more metres. PYP points out pink stone to HM Parker. Murder of Honora Mary Parker by PYP and JMH. [*] 3:30 *Agnes Ritchie states PYP and JMH arrive at kiosk with bloodsoaked clothing, white-faced and hysterical, screaming that HM Parker was hurt and crying for help. PYP had blood on face and hands, JMH had much blood on her hands.

*A Ritchie took girls into tea kiosk. Sent a customer for Kenneth Ritchie. A Ritchie went to head of path, looking for HM Parker but couldn't see her. A Ritchie returned to PYP and JMH, asking where accident had happened. PYP and JMH beg her not to make them go back. *K Ritchie arrived at kiosk. Went with his assistant Eric McIlroy down the path to investigate. *A Ritchie phoned for doctor and an ambulance. She allowed PYP and JMH to wash off blood in servery. PYP and JMH both asked for their fathers. A Ritchie phoned HD Rieper at Dennis Brothers' Fish Supply, but he was not in the shop and she left a message. Then A Ritchie phoned HR Hulme, and he said he would come immediately. A Ritchie brings PYP and JMH hot tea with much sugar and notes PYP gulps down hot tea with no milk, oblivious to the temperature and apparently in shock. JMH was noted to be talking rapidly and hysterically. 3:40 *K Ritchie and E McIlroy find HM Parker's body; she is obviously dead and not an accidental death because they saw the brick nearby. K Ritchie pulled HM Parker's dress back down over her legs. E McIlroy left guarding the body while K Ritchie returned to kiosk. 3:45 *K Ritchie reaches kiosk as ambulance arrives. He phones police. 4:00 *HR Hulme arrives at kiosk. He tells A Ritchie to tell the police he was taking PYP and JMH to Ilam. HR Hulme drives PYP and JMH away from Victoria Park, back to Ilam. 4:10 *(approx). Dr D Walker arrived responding to A Ritchie's call. Decides to wait for police after talking to K Ritchie who tells him of condition of HM Parker's body. 4:20 *Sgt R Hope and Const D Molyneaux arrive after having first gone to Victoria Lake instead of Victoria Park. K Ritchie took them, Dr Walker and ambulance driver to body. Dr Walker confirms HM Parker dead without disturbing body. Const Molyneaux ordered to stay at scene to ensure no-one approached area or body while others return to kiosk. Sgt Hope radios Central Police Station in Christchurch from police car. 5:00 *Senior Det M Brown dispatches DetSgt A Tate and Det G Gilles to scene. 5:00 *(approx). HD Rieper arrives at Victoria Park, driven by a friend, having finally received message that HM Parker had had an accident and an ambulance had been summoned. Upon his arrival, Sgt R Hope questions him about his whereabouts that afternoon. HD Rieper not taken to HM Parker's body, but told to wait at kiosk, where he paces anxiously. HD Rieper prime suspect for a short time at this point. 5:20 *DetSgt A Tate and Det G Gilles arrive with Const AE Griffiths. Sgt Hope took them to body. All examined body and area thoroughly, noting brick and torn stocking. Getting close to sundown and dark. 6:00 *DetSgt A Tate returned to kiosk and reported back to Senior-Det M Brown, who contacted Inspector D McKenzie. Tate arranged for coroner, a pathologist and police photographer to come to scene. 7:00 *Inspector McKenzie, Senior-Det Brown join Dr EBE Taylor (Coroner), Dr CTB Pearson (pathologist) and WM Ramage (police photographer) at Victoria Park. They and the other detectives examine body and surroundings, working by flashlamp in the dark. Scene and body photographed thoroughly. Senior-Det Brown DetSgt Tate ordered to interview JMH and PYP. Brown interviewed HD Rieper and obtained his permission to interview PYP without presence of counsel.

4:30 *(onward). At Ilam, HM Hulme bathed PYP and JMH, treated them for shock, fed them and sent them to bed. HM Hulme washed PYP and JMH underclothes. WAB Perry took bloodstained outer clothes to Wicks' Drapery, dry cleaners in Fendalton Rd. 8:00 *Senior Det Brown and DetSgt Tate arrive at Ilam. Interview HM Hulme, HR Hulme and WAB Perry. Brown and Tate, accompanied by HM Hulme, interview PYP, who was abed. PYP states HM Parker had fallen. WAB Perry invited in half-way through. Brick and stocking discussed. PYP makes no incriminating statements. *Brown and Tate went downstairs and JMH interviewed in a sitting room in presence of HM Hulme, HR Hulme and WAB Perry. JMH gives same story as PYP at first. Brown said they didn't believe JMH was present at HM Parker's death. WAB Perry asked to speak alone with JMH at which time he told her to tell the truth. WAB Perry then said JMH wished to make a second statement. Tate recorded it while Brown interviewed PYP again. JMH second statement recorded, indicating she didn't witness accident but had turned back after hearing voices to find HM Parker lying bloody on ground, did not notice a brick or stocking, and she had supported PYP's story. *Brown meanwhile returned to PYP's bedroom, alone, stated to PYP he thought JMH had not been present, and accused PYP of being involved in HM Parker's death. PYP agreed to answer questions. Brown recorded PYP's statement in form of Q&A in which she admitted killing HM Parker but stated JMH not involved, then PYP signed statement.

*Brown and Tate arrest PYP. Leaving Ilam, they ask her about the brick. HM Hulme quickly stated it had not been obtained from Ilam. PYP taken to Christchurch Central Police Station, a few blocks from her home.

late *Brown and Tate accompany HD Rieper to Rieper residence, where they search PYP's room with his permission. Recover 14 exercise books, a scrap book and 2 diaries. Read final diary entries and take possession of the material. *Gilles, Hope and Griffiths remove HM Parker's body to Christchurch Hospital mortuary where Griffiths removes HM Parker's clothing and effects for evidence. *PYP left in Tate's office where she writes note. It is confiscated and placed in an envelope. PYP spends night in police cells. *JMH recites poetry at Ilam and sleeps in her mother's arms. *strong rumour [G&L and "Daughters of Heaven," mf] has frenzy of activity @ Ilam, destroying evidence, i.e. burning of JMH diary and writings, removal of bricks.

1954, June 23 (Wed). *HD Rieper identifies HM Parker's body, accompanied by Det Gilles. 9am *Inquest into death of HM Parker opened by Coroner EBE Taylor, adjourned sine die after evidence of identification given by HD Rieper with DetSgt AB Tate representing police. *Det Gilles recovers PYP and JMH clothing, still uncleaned, from Wicks' Drapery. 10am *PYP, unrepresented by counsel, charged with murder of HM Parker on application of DetSgt GW Alty in Christchurch Magistrate's Court before Mr RC Abernethy, S.M. and remanded to appear on July 1. *PYP Returned to Central Police Station and interviewed in Tate's office. PYP stated that she would tell truth if JMH present. Detectives leave for Ilam, leaving PYP in Tate's office. PYP grabs note and tries to burn it but it is partially recovered. Later, PYP remanded in custody to Paparua Prison, Christchurch, until July 1. aft. *Brown and Tate arrive at Ilam. Later, go up to JMH bedroom. JMH interrogated again, gives 2nd statement, implicating herself in the murder. JMH arrested and placed in custody in gaol.

1954, June 24 (Thurs). *body of HM Parker cremated after funeral service at Bromley Methodist cemetery, Christchurch. *JMH, represented by TA Gresson, charged with murder of HM Parker on application of DetSgt Alty in Christchurch Magistrate's Court before Mr R Ferner, S.M. and remanded in custody to Paparua Prison, Christchurch to appear July 1. Both Dr Hulme and Hilda Hulme are present. *Dr Bennett examines PYP and JMH individually for about 3/4 - 1 hour each in Police Station. *Dr Saville interviews JMH and PYP separately. *JMH joins PYP in Paparua Prison. There, they will listen to classical music, take long walks together and write voluminously. Examined by Dr Medlicott within first two or three weeks of arrest, seven hours each. *body of HM Parker cremated after a funeral service at Bromley Methodist cemetary, Christchurch.

1954, June 27 (Sun). *Dr Medlicott interviews JMH separately for 2 1/2 hours at Paparua prison. [sb]

1954, June 28 (Mon). *Dr Medlicott interviews PYP separately for 1 1/2 hours at Paparua prison. [sb]

1954, June 29 (Tues). *Dr Hunter interviews PYP and JMH separately.

1954, July 1 (Thurs). *JMH, PYP due to be released from custody before trial but held over. *Dr HR Hulme meets with JMH in Paparua prison to tell her he is leaving NZ for England. He stated they met for a few minutes and JMH told him, before he kissed her goodbye: "I want you to go."

1954, July 3 (Sat). *Planned date for Dr HR Hulme and JMH departure for England via South Africa, where JMH was to have been left with Aunt Ina (see 7.11). *Dr HR Hulme and son Jonathon apparently sail on schedule [Or around this time, and certainly before July 16. Date not yet confirmed. jp] from NZ on the liner "Himalaya," bound for London via Capetown and Marseilles, where they will disembark and vanish. Dr HR Hulme will never return. During the sea voyage, he states: "The world will just have to think of me as an unnatural father. I cannot say why I decided to leave New Zealand at this time. It would involve too many people. But there is nothing I can do there just now. My only concern now is for my son. I want to spare him all I can. I've told him his sister is mentally ill--as indeed she is."

1954, July (after Dr HR Hulme's departure) *public auction of Hulmes' personal effects held at Ilam. Huge attendance of gawkers. [reported NZ Truth 22 Sept '54. G&L]

1954, July 11 (Sun) and July 12 (Mon). *Dr Medlicott interviews PYP and JMH for c. 2-3 hours total at Paparua Prison. [sb]

1954, July 12 (Mon). *Dr Saville interviews PYP and JMH separately.

1954, July 14 (Wed). *Dr Hunter interviews PYP and JMH separately.

1954, July 16 (Fri). *PYP & JMH committed for trial at sensational inquest, Christchurch Magistrate's Court, where extracts from diaries read. Worldwide publicity begins in earnest. [PYP & JMH incarcerated at Paparua but PYP transported to & from Mt Eden prison in Auckland for exams, according to testimony. G&L claim PYP moved to Mt Eden at the secret insistence of her own counsel, to see what effect there would be upon separation of PYP and JMH. sb,jp,G&L]

1954, July 26 (Mon). *Dr K Stallworthy examines PYP six occasions between now and 19 Aug. at Paparua? or Mt Eden?. (probably JMH also, separately; she is interviewed 4 separate times). *Dr Saville interviews JMH and PYP separately. *Dr Hunter interviews PYP and JMH separately.

1954, July 27 (Tues). *Dr K Stallworthy examines PYP at Paparua. (probably JMH also, separately).

1954, Aug. 2 (Mon). *Dr Hunter examines JMH at Paparua after PYP sent to Mt Eden.

1954, Aug. 6 (Fri). *Dr Bennett examines JMH at Paparua prison for 1 hour.

1954, Aug. 10 (Tues). *Dr HR Hulme and son Jonathon arrive in Marseilles on the liner "Himalaya" and disappear from public view.

1954, Aug. 13 (Fri). *Dr Saville and Dr Hunter together examine PYP and JMH separately.

1954, Aug. 14 (Sat). *Dr Bennett examines PYP at Paparua prison for 1 hour (she had been brought back from Mt Eden by this time).

1954, Aug. 15 (Sun). Second Term ends. August Holidays begin for NZ schools. The trial will occur during the school holidays, guaranteeing a large crowd of spectators and much local interest.

1954, Aug. 19 (Thurs). *Dr K Stallworthy examines PYP at Paparua. (probably also JMH, separately). Also 2 more exams for PYP at Mount Eden Prison, near Auckland, before trial and 1 more exam for JMH before trial, unspecified location. Total psych exams since murder: PYP = 23, JMH = 20.

1954, Aug. 20 (Fri). *Dr Saville and Dr Hunter together examine PYP and JMH separately.

1954, Aug. 23 (Mon). *Trial of PYP & JMH begins. Both plead Not Guilty. Opening arguments by prosecution. Coroner's report read. HM Hulme testifies. HD Rieper testifies. JMH's statements read.

1954, Aug. 24 (Tues). *Second day of trial. HM Hulme recalled to testify. WAB Perry testifies. Close of prosecution case. Opening arguments by defense. Insanity plea entered by defense. Dr Medlicott testifies for defense.

1954, Aug. 25 (Wed). *Third day of trial. Dr Medlicott continues to testify. Dr Medlicott brutally cross examined by prosecution.

1954, Aug. 26 (Thurs). *Fourth day of trial. Dr Medlicott finishes testifying. Dr Bennett testifies for defense. His equivocal & confusing testimony eventually summarized by the judge.

1954, Aug. 27 (Fri). *Fifth day of trial. Crown calls three expert witnesses: Dr Stallworthy, Dr Saville and Dr Hunter. They testify that PYP and JMH were legally sane.

1954, Aug. 28 (Sat). *Sixth day of trial. *Ranfurly Shield rugby match being played in Chch and supporters show up for trial in the morning. *Final addresses by both counsel. JMH sits with fingers plugging her ears during Brown's emotional, vitriolic tirade and famous quote. *Judge gives summing-up for 1 h 20 min. 12:10 *All-male jury retires for 2 h 14 min. 2:53 *HM Hulme sits with her eyes shut, fists clenched as the verdict is read. PYP & JMH are found legally sane and are convicted of murder of HM Parker. Trial ends. *Spectator yells "I object! I protest!" as terms of sentence read out. This becomes rallying cry for public reaction to sentence. He is ejected from Court. *PYP & JMH unemotional, do not look at families as they are led away, back to Paparua Prison. *From his home, HD Rieper states: "I have nothing to say about it." *HM Hulme and WAB Perry retreat to Hulmes' Port Levy holiday home to escape publicity--evicted from Ilam after departure of Dr HR Hulme in July.

1954, Aug. 31 (Tues). *ST Barnett: Imprisonment of PYP and JMH was "the most complex and difficult custodial problem the penal administration has yet faced. ... Hulme is the more dominant personality and the leader of the two. She is likely to present the greater custodial problem. ... Obviously they should be treated equally and my present mind is that they should each have an experience of Mount Eden." [G&L]

1954, Sept. 1 (Wed). *TC Webb: vows that both girls were to have "a taste of Mount Eden." *PYP & JMH sentenced to imprisonment, to be detained at Her Majesty's pleasure in separate institutions. There is to be no contact of any sort between them during incarceration. *PYP moved from Paparua Prison, Christchurch, to a Borstal north of Wellington, Arohata Women's Reformatory. PYP will spend most of her incarceration here, some time at Mt Eden and finally back to Paparua. Converts to Roman Catholicism. Completes University Entrance and most of requirements for BA degree while incarcerated. Visited once by HD Rieper. Visited by other members of her family once she is transferred back to Paparua, near the end of her incarceration.

1954, Sept. 3 (Fri). *JMH flown by Air Force plane to Whenuapai, Auckland, met by Superintendent Haywood and taken to Auckland Prison (Mt Eden), to the women's wing. JMH apparently in solitary confinement for the first 3 months. While she was at Mt Eden there were 4 or 5 hangings. On the one hand, she received a certain level of special consideration, on the other she was sent there rather than the lower security Borstal where PYP was sent because she was considered the "more dominant personality and the leader of the two." The whole time she was incarcerated, she received no visits from any member of her family, and "their correspondence with her was infrequent." [sb] JMH will spend most of her incarceration at Mt Eden. Tutored privately, she completes University Entrance. Transferred to Arohata for the final part of her incarceration.

1954, Sept. 5 (Sun). *HM Hulme changes her name to Hilda Marion Perry by deed poll in Christchurch. She will go by the name "Mrs H Marion Perry" from this point onward. [mf,sb]

1954, Sept. 6 (Mon). August holidays end. 3rd term begins for NZ schools.

1954, Sept. 12 (Sun). *HM Perry and WAB Perry leave New Zealand for England. Neither will return. In Sydney, WAB Perry tells the press: "We firmly believe Juliet is mad. ...Mrs Perry is sorry to leave Juliet, but she believes that Jonathon now has the greater need of her." [sb] [note: Not known who ended up with custody of Jonathon. jp]

1954, Sept. 15 (Wed). *Howard League for Penal Reform condemns the Secretary of Justice and Minister of Justice's statements about subjecting JMH and PYP to "a taste of Mt Eden." The intervention of this organization may have had a significant influence on JMH (see dedications to Anne Perry's novels in section 7.11).

1954, Oct. 28 (Thurs). *JMH 16th birthday.

1954, Dec. *PYP enrolled in correspondence courses for English, French, Latin, Mathematics, Drawing and Design. Later, she enrolled for a course in Maori. *JMH studied English, Italian and Mathematics. [note: Three subjects is traditional in English system of 'A'- levels. Also note that Dr HR Hulme was a mathematical physicist. jp]

1954, Dec. 10 (Fri). *JMH reported to now be remorseful, in press. [sb] [note: This would be about the time JMH was released from solitary confinement. Statement actually substantiated by Anne Perry in '94-'95 interviews. jp] *PYP reported to be "trying desperately to find out what has happened to" JMH.

1954, Dec. 12 (Sun). *PYP reported to have tried to smuggle a letter to JMH.

1955. *Dr HR Hulme and HM Perry are divorced. *WAB Perry and HM Perry marry. *Dr HR Hulme (aged 47) marries Margery Ducker, daughter of Sir James and Lady Cooper. *Dr HR Hulme begins appointment at Aldermaston in UK.

1955, Sept. *HD Rieper reluctantly visits PYP but finds the visit "depressing."

1958. *Britain successfully tests thermonuclear Hydrogen-bomb at Christmas Island in the South Pacific, making it a full-fledged, independent nuclear power. Dr HR Hulme is a key member of Britain's H-bomb design team. His scientific role is roughly equivalent to that of Edward Teller's in the US effort.

1959. *Dr HR Hulme becomes Chief of Nuclear Research at Britain's Atomic Weapons Research Establishment, Aldermaston, UK.

1959, Dec. 4. (Fri) *ST Barnett, now NZ Secretary of State for Justice, announces JMH (aged 21) and PYP (aged 21) released in that order some weeks earlier from prison and given new identities. "Neither girl knows where the other is living." *JMH provided with a Department of Justice escort and assistance by the Department to make travel plans. She travels to Sydney, Australia then joins HM Perry and WAB Perry in the UK. JMH assumes the name Anne Perry (revealed '94). Beginning in '79 Anne Perry rejoins the public arena as a published author. *PYP released on probation, about 2 weeks after JMH has left NZ, until '65. PYP provided assistance by Justice Department to assume new identity and find employment. She leads a closely-supervised but anonymous life under terms of her parole. She completes her University education and receives her degree. She has no contact with any of her family after her release. [G&L] *HD Rieper states after learning of his daughter's release: "It still doesn't make up for robbing a person of their life. It was evil between them that did it. Pure evil."

1963, Dec. 11. *Department of Justice letter placed in PYP's file, noting concern by officials about PYP's lesbian associates.

1965. *PYP completes her probation and leaves NZ, destination unknown. She lives her life as a private citizen out of the public arena from this point on.

1973. *Dr HR Hulme, aged 65, retires from Aldermaston.

1981, May 5. *Herbert Rieper dies of pneumonia, Christchurch, NZ, aged 92. [sb]

1991, Jan. 8. *Henry Rainsford Hulme dies, Basingstoke, England, aged 82.

1995. *JMH, now known as Anne Perry, lives in Portmahomack Scotland, a mile from her mother, now widowed from WAB Perry. Ms Perry is a successful author of Victorian mysteries.

*Present whereabouts and identity of PYP officially unknown, but published reports of rumours put her in Auckland, NZ, working in a Christian Bookshop. She has continued to lead her life out of the public arena since '65.

� Laurence S Moss
E-mail mossymeister@yahoo.com
URL http://welcome.to/pj-online