THE MARTON TRAGEDY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 1041, 19 December 1912, Page 3

THE MARTON TRAGEDY.

Marton, Dec. 17. The inquest on the victims of the tragedy was held to-day. The father of the man Urquhart stated that bis son had been worried, and did not sleep. His son and wife lived happily till he came to Marton. His wife took Court proceedings, which afterwards were quashed. The girl and he being photographed together had led to his wife applying for a separation order. His son had told him he represented himself to his victim as a single man. He was 28 years of age. The girl’s brother said they had kept company till it was discovered Urquhart was a married man. They instructed a lawyer to write to Urquhart ou November 22nd, forbidding communication with the girl or he would be prosecuted for libel contained in letters and telegrams. Dr Scott deposed that be found the man shot in two places, thiought the stomach and heart, the last bullet passing through the body aud coming out at the -boulder blade. The girl was shot n three places —a flesh wound ou ue left side at the level of the art. The shots bad been fired T . the girl at close quarters. T roui the position of the bodies he , relieved they were sitting together when the act was committed. John Lowrie, the girl’s brother-in-law, said she had known Urquhart 15 month's, aud he represented himself as a single man. -ome talk of an engagement had passed, aud the parents gave their consent ; but they wished to know more about him before marriage, which was wanted at once. About a vear ago Urquhart returned to Wellington, aud the girl went tbere as lady-help for a month or two. She returned to Marlon 011 account of ill-health, but went back to Wellington, , aud then learnt he was married, and she returned to Marton. Urquhart tried to communicate by letters and telegrams with threats. Lily Urquhart, wife of the deceased, said she had always been .ou friendly terms with her husband till Gordon came into their lives. She had accused her husband, who had promised to desist, and told Gordon to discontinue the acquaintance, which she refused. She theu ' issued a warrant for her husband’s arrest for desertion, but could not prove it. They had two children —a boy and a girl. She knew her husband represented himself as a single man. Last week her husband told her he would give her the shock of her life. A verdict of murder and suicide while temporarily insane was returned, .