ATTEMPTED MURDER AND SUICIDE.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2132, 22 January 1880, Page 3

ATTEMPTED MURDER AND SUICIDE.

One of the most fearful crimes that have taken, place in the suburbs for some considerable time past was committed at Emerald hill on Jan. 6. A man named William Wade attempted to shoot a young woman named Mary Driver, huff ailing in the attempt, deliberately shot ‘ himself dead. From what ciin’ oe ascertained of the affair, it appears that the who was about 20 ; ypajrssof age, was employed on hoard.the r ship. Suvaas a fireman; Some short time since the deceased was paying his attentions to Miss Driver, but owing l to 1 some misunderstanding, the engagement terminated. This appears to have preyed on deceased’s mind to some extent, the effect being intensified by the fact’that Miss Driver had transferred’ her (affections to another young man who, it is stated, proposed to marry her,.shortly. The deceased apparently brooded ; over* the matter, and after arming himself with a revolver,'proceeded to the house of Mr Brown 6f‘32 Dundas-place, where Miss Driver was ’employed. Wade rang the hell, which: was answered by Miss Driver,, who -on'.opening the door observed Wade- standing outside, apparently in, a ycry excited state. As soon as ; she) opened the door Wade stepped' 'forward and spoke, saying to her that he" was about leaving for New Zealand, and ’wished to sjieak to her before lie left. ; Miss Driver, not liking the man’s "excited appearence, replied that if he wanted to speak to her, he would have-to do so at the door. Wade, however,'forced his way into the house, and immediately afterwards presented a revolver at the. young woman, and said, “ We. are both to die.” The girl, 'oh seeing the weapon immediately" caught hold of it, when a struggle' took place, in which the young woman received a very severe cut on the palm of her hands, which caused her Iq let,go; the pistol. She at once made J for .:,the .door, and rushed to the house of a neighbour, named Mrs Partridge. Wade, .who was very excited at this time, followed ami fired two shots at Miss Driver,' Both of which fortunately missed their mark. She beiri& it few paces, in advance of her pursuer, succeeded in getting into Mrs Partridge’s house before the fellow had time to get up to her. Wade, however attempted to, force his way into the house, but was bravely repulsed by Mrs Partridge, who (guarded her door, and thus prevented the, would-be murderer from entering and carrying out his; fearful purpose. Wade, after, endeavouring to gain admittance several times, and finding that he could not reach his intended victim, deliberately returned to Mr Brown’s house, and going inside placedlhe' pistol in his mouth, and shot himself. The "report was heard by ;Mfs Partridge, and a Mrs Sampson; hut as they feared it was only a decoyj they did not venture to leave the house for some time. However, as they did not see Wade, they went to MiBrown’s house, and on entering the lobby a most horrible spectacle pre-

sebfed itself. The deceased was lying on the floor with one side of his head blown into atoms, some of which were strewed about the floor and on the wall. The assistance of the was soon obtained, and as Wade had not ceased to breathe, a cart was obtained, and he was at once conveyed to the Melbourne Hospital,, but on , arriving at that institution he' was foimd to he quite dead.