NEW YEAR TRAGEDY.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXV, Issue 10, 10 January 1913, Page 7

NEW YEAR TRAGEDY.

STRUCK BY A BOTTLE. MAN DIES AT BALMAIN. The advent of the new year was marred by the death of a man at Balmain, who died after being struck on tiie head with a bottle just as the Balmain town clock struck 12, says tho ‘Sydney Daily Telegraph.’ Deceased was James Tedree, a fireman, 35 years of ago. He lived with his wife and' two children at 33, Stephen Street, Balmain. One ctiikl is four years old and tho, other sis months. In company with Charles Henry Miller and Thomas Pringle, twoother firemen, Tedree had been celebrating the occasion at tho Forth of Clyde Hotel. They left the hotel comparatively early in the evening, and continued their convivial relations by] visiting several other hotels. Shortly' before midnight, they turned homewards, and walked merrily along Mori. Street. There seemed to bo nothing to cause a quarrel, and the men, as far as can be learnt, wore in good humour. Presently Pringle quickened his pace, and walked a few yards ahead of his companions, who followed behind discussing the events of the evening. Suddenly Pringle heard a crash, and tho falling of glass. He turned, and as he did so ho s«w Tedree fall. Pringle, ran to his assistance, hut Tedree hardly moved. Ho appeared to he unconscious. Miller walked across the street, and entered his gate, for he lived almost immediately opposite. A little crowd of people collected, and the Civil Ambulance \vas called. Tedree was carried to the Balmain and District Hospital, and admitted by Dr. Griffiths, tho resident medical officer, hut the unfortunate man was then! dead.

Dr. Griffith examined tho body, and found an incised wound about 2|in. long on the head, and a contusion over the right eye. Tho skull was not fractured.

The police were quickly summoned, and in a few minutes Senior Constable Manuel, Constables Taylor, Kennedy and White had charge of affairs. They arrested Miller in his house, and charged him at the Balmain Police Station on suspicion of having caused the death of Tedree.

A cablegram yesterday slates that at the inquest on TeVUee, a ve'dict of wilful murder was returned against Miller. - The evidence showed that the tragedy was the ; utcome of a drunken quarrel-