ATTEMPTED WIFE MURDER AT LEVUKA.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1089, 31 March 1883, Page 3

ATTEMPTED WIFE MURDER AT LEVUKA.

Shortly after the arrival of the a.s, Rotorua, the town (says the Fiji Argus) was thrown into a state of the most painful excitement by the announcement that J. M. Murray, who was a passenger from Auckland by that vessel, had attempted to shoot his wife, Anne Murray, the proprietress of the Royal Hotel, and afterwards to commit suicide. On visiting the scene our reporter learned the following particulars :—“ Murray, who had been judicially separated from his wife some months ago, had in the interval been in Auckland, and took passage on his return by the Rotorua. On his way down he was heard to speak of having satisfaction, but his muttering# were paid little attention to. Immediately the iteamer was made fast alongside the wh rf, however, he went ashore, and only called first at one place, the Commercial Hotel, whore he had some brandy, went direct to the Royal, and enquired of the barmaid where was Mrs Murray I Upon the girl saying ‘ she didn't know,’ he rushed past her through the bar, and went through the parlors into the dining-room, where he found his wife with some customers, who, thinking that Mr and Mrs Murray wished for a private interview, left. He then appealed to his wife for money, which she distinctly refused, whereupon he enquired, ‘ Is that your final decision 1’ and upon her saying * Yes,’ he replied, taking a revolver from his pocket, ‘ Then take that,’ and fired at her. The bullet fortunately missed its mark, but so close was the pistol to her face that the left side of the cheek and chin are ingrained with the powder. Mrs Murray fell with the fores of the shock, when h« fired another shot at her which passed thyough her dress acd grazed her thigh. He then, probably thinking ho had accomplished liia purpose, turned the pistol and tired at himself, but again missed, the bullet passing over his head and through the roof. At this juncture the housekeeper, who had been alarmed by the noise of the shots rushed in and assisted Mrs Murray to rise, when they both fled from the premises. Murray fired two more shot#

after tliem as they did so, hut f ortun»tely without effect, fie then rushed out of the dining-room upstairs and threw himself out of the balcony into the creek below, apparently with the intention of committing suicide in this manner ; but here again he was unsuccessful, and on emerging from the opposite aide of the creek lie was secured by Mr J. Waters and some native police, and lodged in the lock-up on a charge of shooting with intent to murder. The weapon, a sixbarrelled revolver, was afterwards found where he had tqrown it down, having five chambers discharged. The news of the occurrence soon spread, and the was crowded by people from all pai'ts of the town, congratulating Mrs Murray on her miraculous escape.”