A SYDNEY TRAGEDY

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 251, 18 July 1921, Page 5

A SYDNEY TRAGEDY

SOCIETY WOMAN’S SUICIDE REMARKABLE EVIDENCE OF TERRORISM By Telegraph—Pres* Association—Copyright (Rec. July 17, 5.5 p.m.) Sydney, July 17. At an inquest on Mrs. Lippe, whose mangled body was recently found at the foot of South Head Gap, disclosed remarkable features. The evidence showed that deceased was a Victorian society woman separated from her husband, who was described as a New Zealand guide living in the Dominion. She left a will bequeathing property valued at .£lO,OOO to a young man named Malister Smith, with whom she associated in the musical world, and who sometimes stayed at her house. . The evidence of a lady companion of Mrs. Lippe alleged that the two women were kept in a state of terror by Smith S allegations that Roman Catholics ana Sinn Feiners were after them. and. had a machine-gun and other arms hidden about the house, preparatory to attacking it on a given date. Prior to tins data Smith induced the women to flee to Sydney. Mrs. Lippe left a letter for Smith, stating that she had decided to end it all, adding that happiness would come to her on the other side, where she would wait for him. . Smith denied the ajlefjations about terrorising the women, and said he had tried to reason with Mrs. Lipp? in regard to her ideas about Roman Catholics and Sinn Feiners, but found that she would not listen, so took the lino of least resistance end agreed with her. He denied playing on her feelings or suggesting that she should commit suicide. Smith admitted receiving considerable sums of money from her. The Coroner, in returning a verdict of suicide, added that Smith’s association with Mrs. Lippe undoubtedly acted ns an unwholesome influence on her mind. —Press Assn.