MURDER IN OTAGO

Hokitika Guardian, 17 May 1920, Page 4

MURDER IN OTAGO

father attacks family ONE GIRI’sDCCUMBS. , (Per Press Association.)

DUNEDIN, May 16. The local police were advised tins morning, that* Dr Stenhouse, of Bai•clutha, had been rung up by Mr PSnnett of Wharetoa, saying that u farmer named John Sharp oi Kongaheie had attacked his-, children during Saturday. The children had got away from' liim, but in the evening he attacked two. One got away, hut the other girl, named Sophia, seven years of ago was rendered unconscious. Mr, Pannett asked, a doctor to come to the scene and bring a constable with him. Dr Stenhouse and Constable Fihdlay, from Balclutha set out for Konghaere, arriving at 3 o’clock this morning. The injured girl, with other members of the family, were with Mrs Ireland nearby. On examination, the doctor found that the child’s bead had been bashed in. He took the child in bis car, and started out for Dunedin, with the object of placing the injured girl in the hospital," but by tlie time be had gone seven miles, she expired. He thereupon returned with the body to Mrs Ireland and left it here. Mrs Sharp had been in. delicate health and was staying in Dunedin. Sharp is described as 70 years old, sft. lOin. in high, stout, dressed roughly and with a straggled beard. ‘ A party of police set out from Dunedin at 11* o’clock this morning to search for Sharp. A party of police also left Invercargill, the scent of the tragedy being on the borderland of the Otago and Southland police districts. Sharp made for Lawrence, and there gave himself up at the Police Station. ° Ho stated to the sergeant that he had struck one of his girls, hut thought she was all fight.