Shocking Tragedy.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 3617, 3 February 1906, Page 2

Shocking Tragedy.

WOMAN SCABBED- BY A BOY. ■ SCENE IN A SYDNEY HOTKE. Sydney, February i. A sensational tragedy occurred in the city on Thursday. Mrs - Gregory, wife of a Coolgardie vihlican, was staying at the Royal Motel, when a piercing screani brought an employee to her room. Mrs Gregory was found kneel'iig beside the bed, stabbed in the breast and back. There were no fewer than nine wounds. A sheath-knife was by her'side, and articles of clothing belonging o the hotel lift-boy, Thomas Quinlan, fifteen years of age, were discovered in the room. Quinlan was arrested in bed at his home.

Quinlan has confessed to the crime, but the police are reticent. It is understood that he states that Mrs Gregory left the door of her room open, and that he entered with the intention of robbing her. When she woke up, he stabbed her, and then fled. Sydney, January 2., Quinlan and a younger brother, whom he helped to support, lived in a lodging house, their mother having brought them from Queensland and left them.

Quinlan received his discharge r rom the hotel on Wednesday, owing to being too young for the duties. Mrs Gregory bad shown him kindness and given him several presents. He went into her room with the intention of securing her jewellery, and hid under the bed during the commotion following the crime. After* wards he managed to make his w ay down stairs and escape through a window.