DOMESTIC TRAGEDY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 1001, 1 February 1912, Page 4

DOMESTIC TRAGEDY.

MAN SHOOTS HIS WIFE

“GOODBYE, EVERYONE.”

The story of a tragedy at East Brisbane on the evening of Christmas Day, when George Cooper was lound on the verandah of his dwelling and his wife was found injured on the pavement in front of the house, was told at the magisterial inquiry last week.

Florence Cooper, 12 years, daughter of the deceased, deposed that on Christmas Day her mother, her brother Thomas, 14 years, and herself went to Sandgate. Her father left home on December 21. She did not know where he went. When they reached Sandgate she saw her father on the platform, but did not speak to him. He followed them to the beach, and after a time came over and said : “I wish you a merry Christmas and a happy New Year.” Her mother replied : “You dog ; you stole a Christmas dinner from the children.” They returned home at about eight p.m. Her mother said to him : “You are not a man to take the £3 I saved for Christmas.” Her father replied: “I did not take £3. I left you with some money in a bank previous to that.” Her father was lying on the bed when her mother pulled the clothes from under him, saying, “You will not sleep here to-night.” Later her father went to his room, and to a chest of drawers, where cartridges were kept. The gun was kept in the back room, and as her father walked towards the back room her mother said, “He is going to shoot me.” Her father then came on the back verandah with the gun in his hand, and said to her mother : “I will shoot you, you— beggar. You will die.” He placed the gun towards her mother’s breast, and fired. Her mother fell against the gate, screaming. Witness went outside, and went for the police. When she had gone 200yds she heard a second shot fired. Her parents were never under the influence of drink, but were always quar.relliug. Mrs Gray, a neighbour, said she heard the report of firearms. Then a man called out twice, “Good-bye, everyone.” There was a second report, and someone fell on the verandah. Later she heard that Cooper had shot himself.