WELLINGTON SHOOTING CASE.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXI, Issue 8739, 13 February 1907, Page 2

WELLINGTON SHOOTING CASE.

The Inquest

The Girl’s Love-letter

Per Press Association. Wellington, February 12. An inquiry into the death of Eleanor Pearl Axup, the victim of to-day’s tragedy, was held this afternoon by the District Coroner, tho jury returning a verdict “that death was caused by a bullet, fired by Claude Paget.” The evidence given by the girl’s mother, . a brother ot the accused, and others, showed that Paget had visited the house on the previous evening, in a state of intoxication. He did not then see the girl. , This morning, he entered the kitchen, at about six o’clock, and, when Pearl came downstairs and went into the dining room, ho follfflved. A few minutes after shots were heard, and the girl’s mother, rushing into tho room, saw her daughter and Paget lying on the floor. The former had a wound behind the loft ear, and Paget was unconscious. The girl died within an hour . after the arrival of the doctors, her case being hopeless. Paget was not wounded, and appeared to be suffering from shook, When he recovered, ho was charged with murder, and replied that he wished he had shot himself. In his possession there were 43 revolver cartridges. A weapon, similar to the one found on the floor, and a bag ot fifty cartridges, were purchased by Paget at an ironmonger’s shop in tho city ou Monday. Tho mother, in her evidence, said there was no engagement for marriage between her daughter and Paget. The latter had asked the girl’s father for her, but ho had refused owing to her tender years. , The following undated letter written, by Pearl Axup to Paget, was found in tire latter’s pocket:—“ My dear Claude — I cannot possibly meet you to-night as I have made arrangements to go round to Oriental Bay this afternoon and spend tho evening, but if you can come round to-morrow night I will be at homo. Anyhow kid, I cannot let you go away. Anything rather than that. I could never forgive myself if yon did go away. Besides, what would your mater think of me P No, my dear boy, you will stay with me and we will not break our engagement off. Ono thing I will never be forgiven for is the pain I caused you last night. However, I can only try to make you happy now, and I can assure you I will do my best on that point providing you are agreeable to put up with my behaviour. Anyhow, Claude, I hope you will think none tho loss of me for telling you tho truth last night, and I trust to make you as happy as possible in the future. Believe me to bo, yours only, Pearl. “ I hope when you come round to-mor-row night you will bo in as high spirits as you were on Now Toar’s Eve. Much love from yours, oto., 8.P.A.”