DREADFUL TRAGEDY in OTAGO

New Zealand Mail, Issue 16, 13 May 1871, Page 2

DREADFUL TRAGEDY in OTAGO

The “ Otago Daily Times” of 2nd May has the followingA murder, followed by an attempt at self-destruction, was committed at Cavershara yesterday. The circumstances of the case are very painful. Mrs Agatha M*Phee (the wife of Donald M‘Phee, the licensee of the All Nations Hotel, and who is also a contractor), a woman 37 years of age, is the mother of four children, the oldest aged nine years and the youngest four. About half-past seven o’clock yesterday morning the eldest child, hearing a noise in the bedroom, opened the door, and saw the mother cutting the throat of the youngest child. She at once told her father, who was outside, filling the horse-trough. He rushed in, and .found the youngest child dead, her head nearly severed from her body, and the mother with her own throat badly cut, The instrument with which she had nearly hacked off her child’s head, and attempted to take her own life, was a

butcher’s knife, about 18 inches in length. As soon as the occurrence was known, no time was lost in sending for skilled assistance. Dr Hammond on arrival sewed up Mrs M‘Phee’s wound, but her recovery is doubtful. Mr J. T. Thompson, J.P., was sent for. She stated to him that onWednesday morning last, Peter Kane, contractor, and a partner of her husband, slept in the house that night, and, her husband being away, entered her room and attempted to take liberties with her. She afterwards complained to her husband, who threatened to prosecute Kane, upon which Kane made statements damaging to Mrs M‘Phees moral character, and which she repelled as false. Yesterday morning, previous to the occurrence, the husband told her that he was going that morning to take proceedings in the matter, so as to bring it before the Court, and that she would have to appear to give evidence. She said she could not, as her nerves would not allow her. In the afternoon, Mr - Strode, R.M., went out and took her deposition, which was to the effect that Peter Kane had committed an assault with intent upon her. Kane and her husband, we are informed, worked together at the Peninsula. On Tuesday, Kane came to town to draw their cheque, a part of which he had to pay Mrs M'Phee, and slept at the house. Mr M'Phee remained at the Peninsula. She was very fond of the child she killed. It was rather helpless through paralysis in the side. The neighbors speak well of the family as quiet, steady people. Kane was arrested yesterday on a charge of assault with intent. An inquest, we understand, is to be held to-day.