THE PALMERSTON TRAGEDY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 8066, 23 March 1906, Page 2

THE PALMERSTON TRAGEDY.

WOMAN LIKELY TO RECOVER. TEE PBESS ASSOCIATION. Palmebston Nobth, March 22. Further details available indicate that the tragedy was due to jealousy on the part of Mrs Harris (with whom Murfitt had been living for the past fifteen years), towards Ada Davidson, his niece, who, since Murfitt came to Palmerston, had been living at Kokowhitu with him, Mrs Harris occupying a separate establishment, where the oc. currence took place. The jealousy first became apparent the employees of Murfitt state, at Auckland, and increased during the recent months. Mrs Harris was heard to warn him on numerous occasions as to his conduct, and she also repeatedly asked to be allowed to go away and earn her own living. She wished Murfitt to sell one of his trotting horses and start her in a boardinghousei but, with strange perversity, he refused to permit her to leave him, though his neglect was apparent to the employees, who had been with Murfitt some rears. I

Mrs Harris progressed favourably during the night, and there is now a probability of her recovery. In a statement made to the doctor prior to an operation at the hospital last night, Mrs Harris admitted the deed, and ascribed the cause as a quarrel with Murfitt, who intended leaving her, to live with his niece. The inquest opened this afternoon, and was adjouruol to April 6th, the police stating that there was every prospect of tho woman recovering.