A Family Tragedy

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 783, 29 March 1905, Page 2

A Family Tragedy

SOX ACCIDENTALLY SHOOTS HIS FATHER, A telegram from TUba Tilba, pub-lisht-d in the Sydney Daily lelegraph i>f Saturday (last, states : a dreadful tragedy occurred here on Fridav night, an old resident limned Alexander McDonald being shot dead by his son. An iniqucst was held yeslertlnv nUeraoon before Mr Simpson (District Coroner). The principal cvidei«v.! was by Mrs McDonald, and her son Allen, a lad between 17 and' 18 years of age, which was to thli effect that deceased came home about half-past live on Friday evening much the worse for liquor, and commenced qua rrclMng with his wile, 110 then left the hous«, saying he would stay away altogether. She followed and endeavoured io pacify himi but he seemed to get worse, and picking up a sliprnil rushed at her saying, " I'll kill you." Alien McDonald ran out with "the gun and knocked the rail out of his hand'. Jle picked it up again, and made anolhtr desperate attempt to rush at Wis'j wife. Allen, who was some yards away from him, ran towards his father to stop him, and the gun went off, shooting him in the left groin, death resulting soon afterwards. Allen McDonald, in his evidence, said he took the gun to frighten his father, He did not know it .was loaded, f\md felt sure hi.- did not pull the trigger. The deceased was a man of very violent temper, and almost uncontrollable when under the influence oi drink. ' At the conclusion of his evidence the Coroner intimated he would give his verdict on Monday. Jt would probably be that death resulted from accidental shooting, but he wished to read the evidence. In answer t 0 the police, he said that no restraint need be put on young McDonald.