DOUBLE TRAGEDY.

Hokitika Guardian, 22 March 1926, Page 3

DOUBLE TRAGEDY.

MURDER AND St'K IDI

by tej.eokaph —mi puess association

D.YRGA YTLLE, March 22. At the little Maori Settlement of Tewaharau, a few miles out of Dav-o-aville, a horrible tragedy occurred on Saturday, resulting in the death of Mrs Matthew Wnakn To Iluia. 35, a white woman, married to a Maori, and her nephew, Hokaia Teddy Nathan, aged 16. , From information received, it appears the deceased’s husband, who is known as Matthew Walker, left home for Dargaville about 1 p.m. on Saturdav. expecting his wife and nephew to follow later. When they did not come to town, Walker returned home at 1.15 a.in. on Sunday and was horrified to find his wife dead on the floor of their wham: aiul the hoy dead on the sofa with a shot gun between his legs. Walker arolined the nearest neighbours, obtained a horse and earn,? to town and informed the police. Sergeant Griffiths. Constable Nichl and Dr Crump immediately lelt tor the scene and found the woman and hoy as described bv Walker. Tbo woman had been shot between the shoulder blades from a short distance and the boy had blowii the top of his head olf. Death in. both cases was instantaneous and had taken place some hours lie fore. Everything points to a case ot murder and suicide. At present there is no indication of what led to the tragedy.