GLEN MORN HOMICIDE

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 1071, 18 November 1911, Page 4

GLEN MORN HOMICIDE

Svdnkv, Nov. 16

At the inquest concerning the death of Una Cover, at Glen Morn, last month, Mrs Cover stated that when Lawless arrived at the Covers’ house he appeared to be triendly. He had lunch, but later complained that witness was not the same old mate she used to be. She replied that she hoped they would always be friends. Lawless declared that be wanted more than friendship. Witness replied :

“That can never be.” The next she beard was the report of a rifle, and felt a shot in her head. She heard another shot. Lawless said “Una is dead.” He added that he was going to set fire to the house. While witness was running away Lawless shot her twice. She escaped with two 01 her children, and walked to a neighbour’s place four miles away. Lawless was committed for trial ou a charge of murdering Una Cover.

Glen Morn is near Tamworth. The accused, Lawrence Lawless, is a farm labourer, aged tweutvoue years. On October 24th he shot Mrs Cover and her daughter. The daughter died almost immediately. Mrs Cover’s house was burned down, and the body of the daughter incinerated. Lawless afterwards shot himself in the chest. It was believed that the tragedy was the outcome of a supposition on the part of Lawless that the Covers induced a young lady, to whom he was paying court, to throw him over. Lawless spent the morning at the Cover’s house. He and the gill Una were some time practising with a r rifle Lawless carried.