THE COMMONWEALTH.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 7, Issue 226, 15 June 1915, Page 5

THE COMMONWEALTH.

MANUFACTURE OF MUNITIONS. THE JEWEL ROBBERY. (Reed. 9.20 a.m.) MELBOURNE, This Day. Senator Pearce reiterated that as soon as the required data was received from the Imperial Authorities the Commonwealth would undertake the . manufacture of shells. He pointed out the «£gotia/_soTij3 wit,h retain that had been proceeding since September last, with a - view to obtaining data necessary for ' machinery. He had many additional offers of asststance In the production of munitions, made by engineering and metal working firms. member of the committee appointtsa to investigate the question, states WUgt important developments may be o3tjw?cted in a few days. Three men participated in the robbery, and two of the most valuable rings were picked up in the street, A TERRIBLE TRAGEDY. SYDNEY, Juno 14. An atrocious tragedy occurred at Stanmore, resulting in the death of Mrs. Tucker and her brother, Ernest Matheson, and the attempted suicide t»f the murderer, John Thomas Tucker. According to the story told by Tucker’s 15-year-old son, his father had recently been sent to gaol for not complying with a maintenance order. Returning home he gained admittance by a widow, and tied his wife to a bedpost, where she remained all night while he himself slept, also keeping the boy in the room. Matheson called next nxorning and was admitted, Tucker threatening him with a revolver, and made the boy bind Matheson's eyes and hands. Tucker then beat him on the head with the butt of the revolver until he w-as dead. Tucker then returned to bed and slept throughout the day. The boy, worn out with watching, was awakened during the night/ by his mother’s cries, and found his father beating her. He continued Ills fiendish wfcrk till she was dead. Tucker then shot himself, and the boy escaped and informed the police. Tucker has been taken to the hospital in a serious conditio*. i GRUESOME DETAILS. SYDNEY, June 14. Tucker was released from prison a few days ago. He forced his way into the house during the early hours of the morning. He appears to have used a hatch et : in killing his victims. He kept Ms wife tied to a bedpost for several hours, and then released her after killing Matheson, The mother and her boy .spent twelve frightful hours, without iood. There were frequent quarrels between the couple, terminating in Tucker striking his wife on her head with |ho hatchet. The blows were repeated At «very groan until she was dead, the boy burying his head in the bedclothes - in terror at'the sight. Tucker, after shooting : himself through the cheek, wont to his sister's -'iwMeßdp to tfef kospl* ■■itoi. l'v ' *Ai £»»“:•& ?■■■■•>• ■»:yjiiiti ii*i.