THE DUNEDIN TRAGEDY.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIV, Issue 9364, 5 February 1909, Page 5

THE DUNEDIN TRAGEDY.

Press Association. Dunedin, February 4. The inquest on the body of Samuel Lewis Brooks, who shot himself at Maori Hill on Monday night, was opened to-day. Elizabeth Margaret Cameron, mother -in-law of deceased, said her daughter had been married to deceased for about seven years. They lived together for about two years, but during the remaining five years lived separately. Deceased, who was a fireman ou the Maheno, missed his passage at Wellington about January 19th, and returned to Dunedin. Mrs Brooks was at that time in Auckland, and last Saturday she came down to Dunedin. After tea on Monday night, angry words passed between deceased and his wife. Mrs Brooks was asking deceased for a ring of her’s, and deceased, using an oath, refused to give it. Mrs Brooks insisted ou having it and witness went out to try to make peace between them. Deceased said to his wife “I will divorce you,” and then stated he had been to see a solicitor that day. Her daughter replied that he could divorce her and she never intended to live with him again. He then threatened to strike her, and she retaliated with a sneering remark, upon which he struck her and pushed her against the scullery bench, < Deceased then struck her several times on the bead and she made efforts to protect her face. Witness went into the kitchen and asked her husband to separate them. He refused, saying he would not interfere between man and wife. Witness then went back to the scullery and three revolver shots were fired. After a fourth shot had been fired, deceased fell. Dr. Hastings said that death was due to a bullet wound, but witness did not think that the fractures present in the head oonld have all been caused by a bullet, but a fall would account for death. Evidence was also given by David Cameron, husband of Mrs Cameron. Notwithstanding that this witness was in the kitchen during the whole progress of the quarrel and while the shooting was going on, he made no effort to interfere or assist, but sat calmly on the sofa. His reasons for so doing were that he was frightened that he would be shot and it was only when the whole business had subsided that She ventured into the scullery. In the course of his evidence, he said he heard three revolver shots fired in quick succession. He remained where he was as he was frightened and “had more sense than to run into the mouth of that.” Witness went out into the scullery when the shooting was over and the noise had subsided. He heard shots and screaming and struggling, but throughout he remained where he was. Dr. Norwood stated that Mrs Brooks was in a private hospital. A bullet had penetrated her cheek and had come out just under the eye. No one was allowed to see her, and she would not be available for the • inquest for four days. The inquiry was adjourned until Monday.