A MADMAN'S CRIME.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 289, 29 April 1913, Page 5

A MADMAN'S CRIME.

WIFE'S XARROW ESCAPE,

Per Press Association. Dunedin, Monday. In connection with the death of a man named Littlewood, at Balclutha, his wife, has made a statement to the police that between one and> two o?clock on Sunday morning her husband came into the bedroom with an axe and struck her on the head. When she regained consciousness she found the house in flames and with difficulty escaped with her son through a window. The body of Littlewood was found in a charred condition with a wound in the throat. A doctor's examination goes to prove the truth of Mrs. Littlewood's assertion.

THE INQUEST ADJOURNED.

Dunedin, Last Night. An inquest on the fatal Are at .Balclutha was commenced this afternoon before Mr. G. W. Wood, acting-coroner, and a jury of six. Constable Harvey said that it was impossible to place evidence before the jury for a week, owing to Mrs. Littlewood's serious condition. It was impossible for the police to show how the fire was caused, but it was surmised that deceased set fire to the house. He believed the body to be that of Littlewood, but it was so charred that it was impossible to identify it. The incision found in the throat ran from left to right, but the neck was badly burnt, and it was impossible to trace the cut on the right side. The inquest was adjourned till May fi.' Deceased and his: wife appear to have been a most happy couple, wrapped up iri their six-year-old child, and the sudden madness of deceased is surmised to have caused the tragedy.