THE CHRISTCHURCH TRAGEDY

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXI, Issue 8781, 8 April 1907, Page 2

THE CHRISTCHURCH TRAGEDY

Per Press Association. On risk: hi: non, April 7. When enquiries were made at the hospital to-day in connection with the attempted mUrder and suicide tragedy, which occurred last night, a reporter was informed that though Mrs Jackson’s condition was still critical she was progressing as favorably as could be expected.

Further details show that Mrs Jaokson had been boarding for some time at a cottage in Antigua Street, and had been going out to work by the day. The people of the house saw nothing of her after she went out yesterday morning, and they supposed that she was going to work as usual. She had frequently complained, both to other people and the police, of tho behaviour of Smithcrs, who had waylaid her in the street. He had often asked her for money, and she is believed to ..have given him money to pay his board at different times. Smithers had been living at a boarding bouse in Dnr-ham-street for nearly three weeks and was supposed to be looking for work. He is alleged not to have paid for his board. Ho is a blacksmith by trade, and was at one time in tho employ of Messrs Scott Bros., Christchurch. He is said to be.a native of Sydney. When tho tragedy occurred last night tho shrieks of the woman aroused tho people of the neighbouring houses, but so quickly did the police reach the scene that the residents, realising that there was no need for their services, contented themselves for tho most part with watching tho proceedings from their doors and windows.

Tho blade of tho razor used by Smithers broke in his hand, and ho threw away a portion. This was tho object of a long and careful search, and it was found this morning by Detective Ward. In her depositions the woman said sho was married and camo from Melbourne in August. She had been living with Smithcrs in Christchurch, and ho is the father of an expected child. The attack was made when she bade him “ good, night.”