WIFE FOUND DEAD

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 83, 5 October 1931, Page 8

WIFE FOUND DEAD

HUSBAND IN HOSPITAL

(By Telegraph.i-Press Association.) AUCKLAND, 4th October. A shocking domestic tragedy occurred at Liverpool street,, Hamilton, Bhortly before midnight' last night, when Mrs. Lois Alexandra Smith, aged 29,. died from a wound in the throat, and her husband, Walter Arthur Smith, aged 50, was found with a severe wound in the^ throat. Smith's condition is serious, but ho has a fair chance of recovery. ' The tragedy, occurred in the front bedroom of a four-roomed rough-cast cottage at the corner of Liverpool and Vialou'•.streets. Mrs. Smith was the second daughter of Mr. W. E. Burrow, undertaker, of Hamilton. She was born in Auckland, and lived most of her life in' Hamilton. She was Smith's third Wife, and had married him about five years ago. There are two children of the marriage, aged four years and one year respectively. Smith was born in Temuka, and has been a resident of Hamilton for about 20 years. He is a painter by' trade. He served in .the war and held the rank of captain. Formerly he was drum-major in the Hamilton Band. Smith has had a good deal of financial worry lately, and five months tgo filed a petition in bankruptcy, as the result of which his home in Frankton was sold. He had two children by a former marriage, Beginald, aged 18, who live's in Christchurch, and Phyllis, aged 16, who was.in the house when the tragedy occurred. Acting on her father's instruction Phyllis Smith rang up Dr. Waddell just before midnight. On his arrival at the house the doctor found Mrs. Smith lying, on the bedroom floor. Mrs. Smith had probably been dead about half an hour. Smith was standing at the bedroom door with a wound in his throat, and a blood-stained pocket-knife was found in tho room. Both husband and wife were in their night attire. After his wound had been bandaged Smith was conveyed to the Waikato Hospital in, custody. An inquest was opened before the Coroner, Mr. Wyvern Wilson, S.M., this afternoon. Evidence of identification was given by- the Eev. L. M. Eogers. In answer to tho Coroner, tho witn.ss said that the domestic relations of Smith and his wife had not been happy. The inquest was adjourned sine die. It was stated at the hospital tp-day that Smith's condition was satisfactory.