THE TOZER MURDER.

Taranaki Daily News, 30 December 1920, Page 5

THE TOZER MURDER.

•' MRS. MORT CHARGED, By Telegraph.—Press Assn—Copyright. Sydney, Dec. 29. Mrs. Mort has been charged with the murder of Dr. Tozer. THE LINDFIELD TRAGEDY. NOT A MYSTERY TO THE SYDNEY POLICE. Latest Sydney files to hand contain some further details of the death of Dr. C. J. Tozer, the well-known cricketer, and the wounding of Mrs. H. S. Mort, the wife of Mr. H. S. Mort, at Owen street, Lindfield, on Tuesday of last week. In a report submitted by the police to the coroner, it i 3 stated that Dr. Tozer was found dead at Mr. Mort's residence with a bullet wound in the right temple and one in the chest. Mrs. Mort was wounded and also poisoned. "It appears," the report continues, "that Dr. Tozer paid an allegedly professional visit to Mrs. Mort, and was closeted with her in the drawing-room for a lengthy period. Wihen the police arrived, deceased was found in a sitting posture on the edge of a couch. A Colt's automatic pistol was found lying on top of his right hand. Three ejected cartridge shells were picked up in the room, and at least two live cartridges were observed in the magazine. Two holes, apparently from bullets, were in the back of the couch, and one in the,wall at the end of the couch. A laudanum bottle was found in the drawing-room."

LADY COMPANION'S STORY. Miss Frances Frazer. who was in the Ihouse at the time of 'the fatality, and acted as a lady companion to Mrs. Mort, was interviewed. "When Dr. Tozer called at the house," said Mis 3 Frazer, "I admitted him to Mrs. Mort's room, and then went to another part of the house. Soon afterwards, I heard what appeared to be shots, and I immediately went to the door of the drawing-room adjoining Mrs. Mort's room. The door was locked, and I called out, 'Whatever is the matter?" Mrs. Mort said that everything was all right, and told me not to enter. I went to a neighbor's place to 'phone a doctor, but the telephone was out of order. On returning again to the door, Mrs. Mort said that nothing was wrong. About 7 p.m. Mrs. Mort asked me for some iced water. I took it to her, when she half-opened the door, and I pushed my way in. Mrs. Mort was in a state ,«f collapse and covered with blood. jSome friends who had come to the house Jithen communicated with the police." "NOT A MYSTERY."

So far, the police will not make a definite statement as to tlie facts that led to Tuesday's tragedy They do say, however, that rh P shooting is not 'a mystery, and that correspondence between Dr. Tozer and Mrs. Mort which they have found throws much light on the ease and greatly assists them in their investigations. They further state that the' ease is one which necessitates the covering of a vast amount of ground. Mr. Mort has made a statement to the police, but his wife, who last night was slightly improved, though still in a serious condition, is not yet in a position to be interviewed by anyone.

A BRILLIANT ATHLETE. Dr. Tozer was 30 years of age, and a few years back he graduated M.8., Ch.M., at the Sydney University. His sporting career there was brilliant, for he played successfully both tennis and cricket, gaining his' blue for cricket. Dr. Tozer enlisted, and after being wounded returned home. He again entered into sport, and earned for himself the distinction of being one of the soundest batsmen in the State. He was selected as twelfth man in the New South Wales -team to play against the Knglish team.

Mr. H. Sutcliffe Mort, the husband of the wounded woman, is a surveyor in the Railway and Tramway Department.