THE CHRISTCHURCH TRAGEDY

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 59, 8 April 1907, Page 2

THE CHRISTCHURCH TRAGEDY

Per Press Association. Christchurcli. April 0. Smithers was :«) years of age, ami Jackson an unmarried woman of 33. Tun man pill sued her down Antigua street to the South Kelt, where he cut both her's end his own throat. A number of 1 people who were attracted to the scene • telephoned lor (he police. The pair had been keeping company lately, lilt quarrelled and tlie woman complained to the police that Smithers was annoying her, whereupon he was arrested but released, as no charge was laid. 'J lie man came from Melbourne, land presented I lie appearance of a ne'er-do-well. The woman's wound is a deep, jngge 1 cut on the left side of the neck, three inches long, and she is in a very critical slate. Smithers bled largely, but is ill no danger. LATlill f'AUTICI'I.AHS. l'er Press Association, Christehureh. April (1. Xeithcr Smithers nor Jackson show a change in their eoudit on. The woman Is very low. Jn her depositions she said she was a married woman, and came from .Melbourne in August, She hud been living with Smithers here, and was cncclntu by him. His believed that the cause wlus an attack of ousy. There had not been a quarrel previously.

Later. When enquiries were made at the hospital to-day in connection with the attempted murder and suicide tragedy which occurred last night, a reporter was informed that though lira Jackson's condition was still very critical, she was progressing as well as could be expected. Further details show that Mrs Jackson had been hoarding for some time at a cottage, in Antigua street and had been going out to work by the day. Tlie people of the house saw nothing of her after she went out yesterday morning, n.ird they supposed that she' was going to work as usual. She had frequently complained both to other people and the police of the behaviour of Smithers, who had waylaid her in the street. He had often asked her for money, and she is believed to have given him money to pay hi* board at different times.

Smithers had been living at a boarding house in Durham street for nearly three weeks, and was supposed to be looking for work. He is alleged not to have paid for his board. Ho U «i' blacksmith by trade, and was at one time in the employ of Messrs Scott Bros., Cliristchurch. He is said to be a native of Sydney. When the tragedy occurred last night, the shrieks of the woman aroused the people of the neighboring houses, but so quickly did the police reach the scene, that the residents, realising that there was no need for their services, contented themselves for the most part with watching the proceedings from their doors and windows. The blade of the razor used bv Smithers broke in his hand, and he" threw away a portion. This was the object of a long and careful search, and was found this morning by Detective Ward.