SHOCKING TRAGEDY AT RAUMAI.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 1733, 3 July 1917, Page 3

SHOCKING TRAGEDY AT RAUMAI.

FATHER STABS SON. A shocking tragedy attended with fatal results, occurred at. Raumai on Friday afternoon. George Jackson, a farmer residing in the neighbourhood, as the'result of an altercation with his wife and family,stabbed his eighteen-year-old son with a hunting knife, just below the heart, and inflicted a mortal wound from which the boy died in the Palmerston North Hospital early on Saturday morning. Details of the tragedy which are available show that Jackson returned to his home from Ashhurst shortly after midday on Friday, and was having dinner with his family, when a dispute arose. It is surmised that Jackson, who is addicted to drink, may have been under the influence, of liquor at the time, and that in a tit of temper he lost his head and committed the, crime, but the police slate that they have no evidence whatever on this point. The boy staggered from (he table to flic door and the father, realising what ho had done, harnessed a horse and drove to Ashhurst. Fearing that the nature of the boy’s wounds were serious, the family communicated with Dr. Putnam,'of Palmerston North, who, on arriving later in the afternoon, ordered the youth’s removal to the 'Hospital. Young Jackson’s condition, however, been me gradually worse, and he passed away at about 8 o’clock on Saturday morning. Suh-Tnspcetor McKinnon was on the point of retiring to bed on Friday night when be was acquainted with particulars of the affair.. Accompanied by plain-elotbos Constable Culloty and Constable Gow, he left Palmerston by motor ear all 12.15 on .Saturday morning for the scene of the tragedy. Arriving at Raumai, they found that Jackson had left home. The police then pushed on to Ashhurst, where they found Jackson in bed in one of (he hotels. On formally being charged with assault with intent to do bodily harm, be arose and dressed, and quietly accompanied the police. The inquest was formally opened by Mr W. G. K. Kenriek, S.M., on Saturday morning, and formally adjourned till next Saturday. . ACCUSED IN COURT. Jackson appeared before Mr W. G. K. Kenriek, S.M., at the Magistrate’s Court on Saturday morning. A (‘(-used, who is about six feet two in height and of medium build, was in a very agitated and nervous condition. One eye was badly bruised. He was (-barged that (1) on June 2!Uh, :il Raumai, he assaulted Thomas Jackson so as to cause him actual bodily harm: and (2) on June 2ihh, al Raumai, lie did kill Thomas Jackson by stabbing him with a knife. When the second charge was read, Jackson, who had hitherto not been aware that his son was dead, groaned audibly and clutched the rails of the dock. Sub-Inspector McKinnon prosecuted, and applied for a remand for a week, as the young man had died that morning. The remand was granted, and accused was removed from the court, to the cells. The Jacksons arc very old residents of (he Raumai district, having settled there about twenty years ago. Jackson, who is a rcmitlaißm man from England, went Home with his family some years ago, remaining there for about ten years. The relatons between Jackson and In's, family have been strained for many years, and disputes are alleged to have frequently arisen between them.