THE WAITARA TRAGEDY

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 307, 23 December 1908, Page 3

THE WAITARA TRAGEDY

Vii —'■ r i - jm THE LAMST DEVELOPMENT. PRISONER SERIOUSLY ILL, BELIEVED TO BE THE RESULT av - -A BULLET WOUND. Sensational rumors weie niloat yesterday concerning tic condition of Dr Goode, who stands charged with thmurder of Mrs. Kienner at Waita.al Tie story which gained general credence was that he had become so ill as i result of the wound discovered in his neck that his ife was in considerable d»n<reIt was also stated that his temperatmc , was quite abnormal, givißg risii t P O "'£ danger It nad been impose on this account to search for the bullet which was reported to be embedded in his neck.

♦rin V b^? e en"!. n " ! ' abe >-«l that during the thecal) ojii the night of the tragedy Dr boode complained frequently of pain in the jaw and neck, which was bleedin.. looking, wound. A easual examination raj^.in . tbe P° lic e station j showed a small incised wound, which is now belied: to have been caused by 2 bullet, llie gaol surgeon (Dr. MeCV land and hospital superintendent (Dr Leatham) are reticent oa.thc question. It is understood that the injury is 0 f such a nature that its significance could scarcely have been correctly diagnosed except shortly afterits..occurrence, or made themselves apparent. Unfortunately, the writotipn with which Dr. Goode received the medical attention' of ' Dr. tlarulge at Waitar a after the arrest wadgjtyimpfcgfljfe to r thoroughly examine the wound, which did not then i

appear to the-casual observer to be other than'tfie result of a deep scratch. Ue was not examined; again until he •was lodged in New Plymouth gaol on Tuesday afternoon, .by which time the wound had almost -closed. His condition -later caused: some apprehension, ami upon the xecommendation of the

gaol suweon he. waß .transferred to the Hospitar-on Monday. The authorities are reticent respecting.the injuries, hut there is little room.for doubt that they are the tegult of * bullet-wound. This would ac&unt jor the bloodstained condition of Dr. Goode on the afternoon of .the tragsdy. r and,pxior, to the arrest. staff deemed it advisable to move the patient from the observation ward to the main hospital, where he iww placed in a small ward, ocenpiMl by himself and the prison wardera-rAii examinationof-his injury w»ajnade,4wt-nottimg done w cept opening the wound to allow of discharge. The neck: is considerably swollen, which makes it difficult for him to swallow food.

At a late houj.last r ßight;Dr. Leathaai said that no Information could yet be given as to %>j»ture of the wound in the neck, butnfcat-fhe patient'was very ill indeed. understood that his temperathtt to dangerously high, rendering an'operation a matter of grave risk. v. .z--i- -'■■■•■ B