THE WELLINGTON TRAGEDY.

Taranaki Daily News, 8 October 1919, Page 10

THE WELLINGTON TRAGEDY.

EVIDENCE AT THE INQUEST, By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. The Brook Street tragedy was investigated this afternoon at the inquest on the bodies of Constable Vivian Dudding and Alexander Aspin. Mrs. Aspin said that her husband was a Norwegian, and she married him in 11106. She had obtained a divorce from him in December last. Deceased visited tier house on Monday night, and when she saw him approaching she secured the doors. He tried to open' the back door, and witness told him if he didn't go away she would call the police. He replied: "That's just what I want you to do." Witness then went' out of the front door, which she locked behind her. Witness said that in July, I'JIS, Aspin attempted suicide by taking poison. He often threatened to take witness' life. When he arrived at the house on Monday evening he appeared to have had some drink.

Charles Coulby said that he saw Aspin Attempting to force the back door of Mrs. Aspin's house, and, fearing trouble, went for Constable Dudding, who accompanied/ witness to the hmuu. Witness and the constable looked through the kitchen window, and suddenly someone fired from within, and Budding fell to th<> ground without uttering a word Witness ran for assistance. Ho knew that Aspin was addicted to drink, but was not aware that he carried a revolver. James Garwood, senior foreman of tlio Thorndon Brigade, gave evidence as to receiving an alarm of fire. The outbreak ; vvas soon extinguished. He saw the shadow of a person apparently setting fire to the curtains in the upstairs front 100 m. The hose was applied and .the 6econd outbreak was easily extinguished Sergeant Mathison said that Constable Dudding was unconscious when he arrived at the house. In an upstairs room lie found Aspin lying wiili a bullet wound in the head A Colt pistol, covered with blood, was near. The coroner, in delivering his verdict, said that Constable Dudding was killed ly Aspin by a revolver shot. The defeased constable had obeyed the call for assistance, and as he approached the liouse. was wantonly shot, and died in n. few hours. His Worship found that Aspin committed suicide by sho#ing himself.

RizOß FOUND ON DEAD MAN. Wellington, Oct. 7. Among the articles found in the pockets of Alexander Aspin, who committed suicide : after shooting Constable Dudding at Thorndon last evening, was an open razor. It is surmised that he intended to attack his wife with the weapon and afterwards shoot himself.