THE GISBORNE MURDER.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 3621, 2 April 1927, Page 2

THE GISBORNE MURDER.

FURTHER DETAILS. Gisborne, April 1 The inquest on Mrs Quoenie Eleanor Pettit, the victim of lust night’s tragedy, was opened this morning before Mr Levvy, S.M., the Coroner, and after hearing the evidence of identification it was adjourned. It appears that the murdered woman was not intended as the viclim, for Nowells had previously threatened another member of the wedding party, the bride of a few hours. This young lady had been acquainted.with the murderer, who had conceived a mad infatuation for her which led him to threaten her life should she carry out her intention of marrying another man. The victim bore a striking resemblance to the bride.' It is supposed that in a blind rage Nowells did not wait to assure himself of the identity of the victim. Though too deeply shocked to give a connected narrative, the bride gave the police information that Nowells liacl been friendly with her and had endeavoured to make her accept his company. Some days ago she intimated to a relative that Nowells had threatened to do for her if she married another man. Mrs Pettit was. the daughter of Mrs Jane White, Hastings, a sister of the late Sir James Carrol. Her husband is a stock agent. Nowells was a native of England and the husband of an English girl. He came to New Zealand three years ago, taking up station property in the Waikohu district. The venture, however, proved disastrous, the losses amounting to some thousands. His wife left about three months ago with the intention of poceeding to England, whither he was to follow. Airs Pettit leaves a family of three young children. Further inquiries by the police show that the bride, Mrs Oman, was actually in the room when the shot was tired, but at an angle sheltered from the sight of anyone peering in the window. When encountered at the front door by Mr Pettit, the murderer appeared to be determined to enter the house, declaring that la* would linisli them both, presumably referring to Mr Oman.