DOUBLE TRAGEDY.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10036, 9 July 1910, Page 5

DOUBLE TRAGEDY.

AT A MENTAL ASYLUM. MAN AND WOMAN DIE OF POISONING. By Telegraph—Press Association. AUCLKAND. July 7. The Auckland Mental Asylum at Avondale was this afternoon the scene of a shocking double tragedy, which resulted in the death of a male visitor female inmate. Shortly after two o'clock a man giving the name of Herbert Jones called to see an inmate named Mrs Ellen Webster. He apparently was in a quite normal condition, and was allowed to sea Mrs Webster in a corridor, and the two were left conversing.

About 3.30 p.m. the acting-ma-tron, Violet CampbeSl, heard a noisg as if someone ftad fallen, and rushed into the corridor to find Mrs Webster stretched on the floor, and Jones kneeling across her body. N. McKelley, assistant resident attendant, who was in a room off the corridor, was called in, and, taking in the situation at a glance, at once administered a ) stomach pump, first on the woman, and afterwards on the man, but both expired within three ur four minutes. Close beside where the two bodies were lying there was a black brief bag, on the top of which were found a small bottle containing some crude prussic acid, and a 4oz bottle which was empry, but had apparently contained a soiutiun, and a small wineglass with a broken stem, which bad doubtless been used to administer the poison. On Junes being searched he was found to have in his possession a small rim-fire revolver, fully loaded in six chambers, and a box of cart ridges, also a razor,, and only a few pence in money. Jones is described as an ex-Im-perial Army officer, who held a commission as captain during the South { African war. He was a married I man, about 50 years of age, of rather aristocratic appearance, and well dressed. His rather[scanty fair hair bad turned grey, and he wore a short grey moustache. Jones is understood to be a resident of Little, Oman?, about 35 miles north of Auckland, where his wifa resides, and has been taking charge of three of Mrs Webster's young children. Mrs Webster, who was the wife of Mr Geo. Webster, also of Little Omaha, waa 31 years of age. She Wis admitted to the Mental Asylum from Auckland, on October 30th of last year. There were no marks of violence on either of the deceased, and no motive has been assigned for the tragedy; but letters were found on Jones which indicated that he contemplated suicide.

STATEMENT BY THE DOOIOK. AUCKLAND, July 8. Speaking of the tragedy at the Mental Hospital, Dr. Beatty states —"I met Jones frequently in the course of his visits to the Mental Hospital. He had taken a very great interest in Mrs Webster, and pestered me a long while about her release. She was quite a well-behaved patient, of bright and happy disposition, but insane and not fit for release. I declined to release her. Joriea came to beg permission to take her out for a day so that she could see her baby. This I declined for various reasons. On no occasion did Jones appear to show any symptoms of mental weakness in conversation with me or do anything would lead me to anticipate any tragedy. One of the letters writtn by Jones jprior to his death was addressed to his wife, and is understood to have indicated that he contemplated suicide. The other was addressed to Dr. Beatty, and in a brief, businesslike form, extended thanks for the kindness extended to Mrs Webster.

LIONEL TERRY'S SISTER. AUCKLAND, July 8. Captain Jones was born in Wales and came to Maw Zealand from South Africa, where he was farming in partnership with Lionel Terry. Mrs Webster was a sister of Lionel Terry.