TRAGEDY AT MARTON.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 181, 18 December 1912, Page 7

TRAGEDY AT MARTON.

A DOUBLE LIFE. By Telegraph—Press Association. Marton, Last Night. At the inquest on the victims of the Marton tragedy the father of Urquhart stated that his son was worried, and did not sleep. His son and his wife lived happily till he came to Marton. nis wife had taken court proceedings, which were afterwards quashed. The girl and lie were photographed together, and this led to his wife applying for a separation. His son told him that he represented himself to his victim as a single man. lie was 28 years old. The girl's brother said that they kept company till they discovered that he was married, when tlicy instructed a lawyer to write to Urquhart, on Xovember 27, forbidding communication, or he would be prosecuted for libel contained in letters and telegrams. Dr. Scott deposed that he found the man shot in two places, through the stomach and the heart, the last bullet passing through the body and coming out at the shoulder blade. The girl was shot in three places—a flesh wound on the left arm above the elbow, one through the right side coming out at the left side, and another 011 the left side at the heart. The shots were fired at the girl at close quarters. 'From the position of the bodies he believed that they were sitting together when the act was committed.

John Lowric, the girl's brother-in-law, said that slic had known Urquhart for fifteen months, and lie represented him-, self as single. There was some talk of an engagement, and the parents gave their consent, but wished to know more about him before the marriage, which he wanted at once. About a year ago Urquhart returned to Wellington, and the girl we-it there as lady lielp for a month or two. She returned to Marton 011 account of ill-health, but went bade to Wellington, and then learnt that he was married, and she returned to Marton. Urquhart tried to communicate with her by letters and telegrams which contained threats.

Lily Urquhart, wife of the deceased, said thnt she had always been on friendly terms with her husband till Miss Gordon eaine into their lives. She accused her husband, who promised to desist, and told Miss Gordon to discontinue the acquaintance, which she refused. She issued a warrant for her husband's arrest for desertion, but could not prove it. They bad two children, a boy and a ?} rl. She knew that her husband represented himself as single. Last week her husband told her that he would give her the shock of her life.

After formal evidence the cwojit commented on the infatuation of the man, and a verdict of murder and suicide while temporarily insane was returned.