The Sydney Tragedy.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 8191, 17 May 1906, Page 2

The Sydney Tragedy.

Murderer's Dramatic oMth. Statement by the Victim. WW ■» A Stocking domestic tragedy wa« perpotratod at Manly on Tttesday week last, A. yonng married man named William Reofeo# firod throo «hota from a revolver at bis wife, Mary Ann Booke#, 21, severely wounding hoc, and then turning tfco weapon on himself ended his own life. The couple wcnro living apart, but ; Tvs far as could bo ascertained this was on account of hi« inability to obtain cm* ployment, and provide a homo, rather than from any disagreement. The scene of the tragedy was the Tvanhoc Hotel, the Corso, kept by Mrs Adrian. Hews the young woman was employed a» a barmaid. Nobody saw the actual shooting, but Mrs Kookes in her dying depositions'' gives a vivid description-off what took place between herself and her husband. Perhaps the best story of the tragedy is told by Constable Sheehy. of the focal police.

STORY OF THE CRIME. In speaking of the affair he said that at about a quarter past six on May 8 he and Constables Davie and Laflioy woro at toa in tho Ortona Tea Rooms, on the Corso, when they woro told by a waitress that somebody was calling out " Polico " down the street. Leaving their meal, tho oflioora rmhed to tho front door to see what was the matter. In front of tho Ivanhoo Hotel, about 100 yds from whoro thoy were, they saw a crowd of people collected. On arriving at tho sconc of tho disturbance tho policemen wore informed that there was a man inside who had shot a woman. Without waiting for further particulars tho thrco ofticers entered tho hotel Shoehy was in the lead. Hearing screams coming from tho private bar be hurried in there. Ho found that tho cries emanated from a young woman, who was standing on the bar sink trying to climb over tho counter. At the other end of the bar l was a young man, leaning against tho counter. There was nothing in bis appearance to lead the orticers to suspect that ho was tho cause of tho woman's alarm, until when Shoohy approached him he partially drew a revolver from his coat pocket, and then thrust it back again. After doing this he staggered round behind the counter, and mudo as» if tc rush at the woman. Constable Lattloy made a dive at the man, while Shcchy vaulted over the bar to intercept him. Before Rookes readied the constable he fell to the floor uneonncious, knocking over a number of bottles in his fall. Thinking he was shamming, Sheehy closed with him, and pinioned his arms, only to release him the next instant, when he found that he was bleeding from a bullet wound under the heart.

It: the meantime the other constables had gone to Mrs Rookes' assistance, and had placed her on a chair outsido the bar. She asked for water, and on this being given her told the constables the facts of the case. .MRS ROOK.ICS' STORY. Racked with pain. Mrs Rookes (who has since died) made the following statement: —" lfe is my husband. lie shot, me three times in the hack. Jlc came into the bar, and said he was going to New Zealand. I wished him good luck, and as he thanked mo he made as if to go out to the back of the hotel. I asked him where he was going, and he said that, he was going to say good-bye to Mrs Adrian. In reply to this I told him not to go out yet, as they were at their tea. He then turned suddenly round, and, drawing a revolver from tii.s pocket, said, 'It's you or me for it.' I rushed to the end of the bar, and lie followed me and caught me by the anus. I screamed and tried to get away, but lie held me, and then shot me three times m the back. I don't know what, happened then, but 1 think he shot himself." As the wounded woman concluded her story, 13cs Thomas and Hull put in an appearance, and while the former attended to themaD, the latter examined the woman, and ordered her removal to the Cottage Hospital. Rookes was found to bo dead, and his body was taken to tho hospital morgue. At the hospital it was found that the three shots fired by Rookes at his wife had taken effect—one in the abdomen and two in the back. Her condition was regarded as extremely serious, and Mr Boultbee, J.P., hastened to her bedside to take her dying depositions. It i« understood that in these she threw no further light on the shooting than in her statement to tho constable. When sho had finished her story she appeared very weak, and said that site had no wish to livo. Mrs Adrian, in speaking of the unfortunate young woman, xaul that she had known her for a considerable time. She worked for her about three years ago as housemaid, and left to marry Rookes. Mrs Adrian knew but little of her married life, and was surprised to see her about seven weeks ago, when she called and asked her for a reference saying that her husband was out of work and could not keep her, and as she would not be dependent on his op her people she had decided to take a situation. Mrs Adrian then offered her a place in the bar, which she accepted.