SHOCKING TRAGEDY.

Waikato Argus, Volume V, Issue 335, 1 September 1898, Page 2

SHOCKING TRAGEDY.

<s, A FATHER ATTACKS HIS FAMILY

ONE GIRL KILLED

WIFE AND TWO CHILDREN

WOUNDED

(BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH- COrYKIGHT). Sydnkv, August 30. A TEKEIBLK tragedy was enacted in George-street this forenoon, resulting in a girl named Lily Garriek beiu« shot dead by a tobacconist named Lisson, while several others were wounded. Lisson is carrying on business in the street named, and the girl murdered was a sister of Mrs Lisson, and was staying with the Lissons.

Lisson opened bis shop as usual this morning, and shortly after went upstairs to the rooms where the family lived, with a traveller named Mord-iunt. Subsequently a shot, was heard, and Mordaunt, wounded in the head, rushed out.

When the police arrived on the scene they found the girl shot dead. Lisson'a two little boys' heads were badly battered, and their condition is regarded as serious. Mrs Lisson, who endeavoured to save the children, was seriously wounded in the arm

Mordaunt states that Lisson suddenly attacked him with a hammer, and after a severe struggle he managed to escape. Subsequently Lisson attacked the other members of the family, and was afterwards taken into custody. Later particulars show that Mordaunt was a traveller for Lisson and quarrelled with him a few days ago, but the latter expressed regvet and asked Mordaunt to come this morning and sign an agreement. It was while writing this document in the office that Lisson felled him with a hammer. In the desperate struggle for life that ensued Lisson dropped the hammer and rushed at Mordaunt with a knife, Just as the point touched the lobe of Mordaunt's ear, his assailant slipped, and Mordaunt breaking away, escaped. The wife, evidently hearing the struggle, entered the room and threw herself upou the infuriated man, and prevented his pursuit of Mordaunt. Lisson then shot at her, and as she wrenched the revolver away, the bullet passed through her hand. Lisson then dashed out of the room when he met his sister in-law. Meanwhile he had picked up a shot gun, fully loaded, and fired at his relation at short range. The full charge entered under the chin, instantly killing her. His two sons. Victor and Rowley, nine and seven years of age respectively, were the next victims, the father batteriug their heads with a hammer.

A police officer smartly seized Lisson, who went quietly to the police station, remarking that he wished he had finished the Jew, evidently referring to Mordaunt, and ought to have killed the whole lot.

The eldest boy is making good progress, and the youngrst i-. being operated on.

The prisoner is of .French extraction, but a native of the colony. He is a man of means and property, but has an ungovernable temper, and is regarded as a somewhat dangerously violent man. He occupies his time iu his cell whistling and singing. So far, the actual cause leading to the tragedy is not known.