AUSTRALIAN TRAGEDIES

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXV, Issue 16485, 26 February 1914, Page 7

AUSTRALIAN TRAGEDIES

COOK SHOOTS HER EMPLOYER. By Telegraoh—Press Association—Copyright. SYDNEY, February 25. ', Oswald Coutts, son of Councillor Coutts, J.P., has boen shot by a cook, whose name is unknown. It appears that a dispute arose through the cook desiring to leave Coutts's service, the latter wishing her to stay. After firing the first shot, the cook reloaded the gun, saying, "I'll make sure of him," and blew the top of his skull off. She then took poison and died. A DEMENTED MOTHER. (Received February 25, 9.30 p.m.) SIDNEY, February 25. At the inquest in the Osborne tragedy the evidence showed that the mother, using a pea-rill e, fatally 6hot a boy aged two years and a half, and wounded herself and then took poison. She left a pathetic letter. "I do not blame my dear husband," she said. "We are the best of friends. I only ask him to forgive me. I cannot leave my babies behind. I am perfectly sane. God forgive me."