Tragedy in Christchurch.

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 8, Issue 29, 9 April 1907, Page 5

Tragedy in Christchurch.

ATTEMPTED MURDER AND SUICIDE. Christchurch, April G A tragedy occurred in tho vicinity of Moorhouso Avenue last night, when •James Bmithers attempted to murder Nellie Jackson. Tho affair occurred at 10.00. While Bmithers was saying good-bye to tho woman ho brutally attacked her, and after pursuing her down Antigua Street to tho South Belt overtook her and inflicted a jagged wound across her throat with a razor. Ho then attempted to commit suicide with tho same weapon. Tho attack attracted several persons in the vicinity and tho Police were telephoned for, and when they arrived the man and woman wore taken in a collapsed condition to the Hospital.

April 7. Mrs Jackson, in lior depositions, said sho was a married woman, and carno from Melbourne last August. Sho bad boon living with Smitbors boro, and was four months’ pregnant, bo being tho cause. It is boliovod the cause of tho attack was jealousy, as fchoro bad boon no row previously, When enquiries wore made at tho Hospital to-day in connection with the tragedy a reporter was informed that though Mrs Jackson’s condition was still critical, sho was progressing as well as could bo expected. ' Further details show that Mr Jackson had boon boarding for some time at a cottage in Antigua Street, and had been going out to work by tho day. Tho people of tho house saw nothing of her after sho wont out yesterday morning, and they supposed that sho was going to work as usual. Sho had frequently complained both to other people and tho Police of the behaviour of Smitbors, who had waylaid her in tho street. Ho had often asked her for money, and she is believed to have given him money to pay his board at different times.

Smitbers bad boon living at a boardinghouse in Durham Street for nearly tbreo weeks, and was supposed to bo looking for work, lie is a blacksmith by trade, and said to bo a native of Sydney. The blade of the razor used by Smitbers broke in bis band, and bo throw it away. A portion of this was the object of a long and careful search, and was found this morning by Detective Ward.