ATTEMPTED MURDER AND SUICIDE.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 30 October 1901, Page 3

ATTEMPTED MURDER AND SUICIDE.

(per press association.)

Palmerston North, Oct 29.

News reached hero this morning that an elderly man, George Hobbs, living at Shannon, shot himself through the heart, after firing three shots at his adopted daughter, Ethel Cameron. The latter who is about 20, was hit in each wrist and the abdomen, and was brought to the Palmerston North Hospital. It is feared the wounds will prove fatal. The girl it is supposed, was engaged to Hobb’s driver. No reason is known for his action.

Wellington, Oct 29.

Further particulars regarding the young woman who was the victim of the Shannon tragedy show that she was the adopted daughter of Hobbs.

Her name was Ethel Cameron and for some time past she had been staying with a stepson of deceased. A baker named Coyle at Shannon stated deceased was in Palmerston yesterday and it it stated purchased a revolver there.

Ho returned by tho evening’s train to Shannon, having tea on tho dinner car, when ho appeared to be in his usual spirits.

It is stated a quarrel took place between the man and girl when they nut last evening, but the shooting did not take place till after 7 this morning, when the man went to his stepson’s house and produced a revolver and began firing at Miss Cameron, the shots taking effect in her arm, right hand and side. The deceased then, without hesitation, turned the weapon on himself and fired the bullet, going through his heart, killing him instantly. Ethel Cameron was brought to Palmerston by this morning’s train, and taken to the Hospital. She is in a critical state.