A-SHOCKING TRAGEDY

Hokitika Guardian, 21 May 1920, Page 2

A-SHOCKING TRAGEDY

DEATH OF FATHER AND

DAUGHTER,

(Per Press Association.)

WELLINGTON, May 21

A distressing tragedy occurred at Otaki last evening. From such particulars a.s have been obtained by telephone, it appears that about 9.30, a man named McFall, a widower, with four daughters, a labourer by occupation, became engaged in an argument with his nineteen year old daughter Olive. A brisk interchange of words was overheard by a married daughter. The father’s tone was more in the -nature of .heated controversy than violent anger and the cause of the trouble appeared to be a letter which she refused to surrender. The girl, it, was said, remonstrated, and suddenly was heard to emit a. loud cry and exclaim “Oh, father you have stabbed me.”

Immediately after, another fall was heard, and when the married daughter rushed into the room she was horrified to find both her father and sister in extremis. Both died a short time afterwards.

Tlie evidence points to the father in stress of anger, seized a sharp, thin instrument, probably a hat pin, and made a thrust at the girl, piercing "her in such'a vital spot as to cause her almost instant death.

■ It is then presumed, that Horrified at his deed, the man seized a razor and cut his throat, inflicting a, fearful gash. The tragedy was reported to the local police by the married daughter, and tlie police were quickly on the scene, but too late to he of any assistance, the victims of tlie quarrel and tragedy being quite dead. It is understood that McFall has been a widower for some years. FURTHER PARTICULARS. LEVIN, This Day. According to information here, .McFall called his daughter to him and stabbed her twice ni tho chest with a butcher’s knife, and then cut his own throat. Both died immediately. It is understood that a serious charge, involving another daughter, was pending against McFall. y