Tragedy in Sydney.

Manawatu Herald, 1 September 1898, Page 2

Tragedy in Sydney.

A terrible tragedy was enacted in George street, Sydney, on Tuesday afternoon, resulting in a girl named Lily Garrick being shot dead by a .tobacconist named Lisson, while several others were wounded. „ Lisson is carrying on business in the street named, and the girl murdered was a sister of Mrs Lisson, and was staying with the Lissons. Lisson opened his shop as usual on Tuesday morning, and shortly after went upstairs to the rooms where the family lived with a commercial traveller named Mordaunt. Subsequently a shot was heard, and Mordaunt, wounded in the head, rushed out. When the police arrived on the scene they found the girl shot dead. Lisson's two little boys' heads wej»^ badly battered, and their condition is regarded as serious.

Mrs Lisson, who endeavoured to save her children, was seriously wounded in one of her arms. Mordaunt says that Lisson suddenly attacked him with a hammer, and after a severe struggle he managed to escape. Subsequently Lisson attacked the other members of the family, and then attempted to cut his own throat. Lission was taken into custody. Mordaunt, who is a traveller for Lisson, quarrelled with him a few days ago, but the latter expressed his regret and asked Mordaunt to see him this morning and sign an agreement. It was while writing this document in the office that Lisson felled him with a hammer. In the struggle Lisson dropped the hammer and rushed at Mordaunt with a knife, lust as the point touched the lobe of the ear the assailant slipped and Mordaunt breaking away escaped. Liason's wife, evidently hearing tho struggle, entered the room, and threw herself upon the infuriated man and prevented his pursuit of Mordaunt. He then shot at her, and as she wrenched the revolver away from him a bullet passed through her hand. Lisson then dashed out of the room where he met his sister-in-law. Meanwhile he had picked up a shot gun, fully loaded and fired at his relation at short range. The full charge entered under her chin, instantly killing her. Two of his sons, Victor and Rowley, nine and seven year of age respectively were the next victims, their father battering their heads with the hammer which he must evidently have secured again. A police officer smartly seized Lisson who contary to the first statement, made no attempt on his own life, and went quietly to the Police Station, remarking that he wished he had finished the Jew referring evidently to Mordaunt, and he ought to have killed the whole lot. The eldest boy is making good progress, and the youngest is being operated on. The prisoner is of French extraction but is a native of the colony. He is a man of means and property, but has ungovernable temper, and is regarded as a somewhat dangerous and a violent man. He occupies his time in the cell whistling and singing. So far the actual cause leading to the tragedy is not known.