SOCIETY WOMAN’S END.

Taranaki Daily News, 18 July 1921, Page 5

SOCIETY WOMAN’S END.

STRANGE SYDNEY SUICIDE. IX TERROR OF SINN FEINERS. By Telegraph.—Press Assn —Copyright. Received July 17, 5.5 pun. Sydney, July 17. The inquest on Mrs. Lippe, whose mangled body was recently found at the foot of Southhead Gap, disclosed remarkable features. The evidence showed that deceased was a Victorian society woman, separated from her husband, who was described as a New Zealand guide living in the Dominion. She left a will deeding property valued at £lO,OOO to a young man named Malister Smith, with whom she was associated in the musical world, and who sometimes stayed at her house.

The evidence of a lady companion of Mrs. Lippe’s alleged that the two women were kept in a state of terror by Smith’s allegations that Roman Catholics and Sinn Feiners were after them and had a machine-gun and other arms hidden about the house preparatory to attacking it on a given date. Prior to this Smith induced the women to flee to Sydney. Mrs. Lippe left a letter for Smith stating that she had decided to end it all, adding that happiness would come to her on the other side, where she would wait for him.

Smith denied the allegations about terrorising thet women. He said he tried to reason with Mrs. Lippe in regard to her ideas about Roman Catholics and Sinn Feiners, but found she would not listen, so he took the line of least resistance and agreed with her. He denied playing on her feelings or suggesting that she should commit suicide. Smith admitted receiving considerable sums of money from her. The corner, in returning a verdict of suicide, added that Smith’s association with Mrs. Lippe undoubtedly acted as an unwholesome influence on her mind.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.