TRAGEDY IN AUCKLAND.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 2565, 18 December 1888, Page 2

TRAGEDY IN AUCKLAND.

Murder and Suicide. Shortly after ten o'clock on Friday evening, the occupants of a block of tenements in Swanson-street, known as Cowie's Kow, were startled by hearing three shots fired in succession in the centre house of the block, and a woman, variously known as Ivate Kennedy or Mrs Patterson, presently ran out of the house declaring that she was shot by Michael McDerinott, an old man some CO years of age, who resided there. A neighbour at once informed Sergeant McMahon, who proceeded to the house and entered it. They found McDerinott lying on his bunk with a revolver in his hand. There were two frightful wounds in the head, one shot appeared to have gone in at the left eye, gouging it out. whilst there was a second ghastly wound under the right ear. Dr. Hooper recommended McDermott's removal to the hospital. Meanwhile, leather liackett had been sent for, and administered spiritual consolation to the injured man, who, notwithstanding the frightful character of his wounds, was perfectly sensible. In the meantime, the wounded woman had been removed to her residence, Chapel-street. Dr. Hooper, on examining the woman, found a bullet wound under her right breast, and which appeared to have made its exit at the left hip. She was perfectly sensible, but complained of considerable pain. McDerinott is an old 57th man, f)0 years of age, and a bachelor, and for the past ten years has had a handcart in Queenstreet. He first became acquainted with Mrs Patterson, whose husband is said to be in England, some five years ago. He had taken a fancy to the woman, and wanted to marry her, but she refused. The affair caused a great sensation in the neighbourhood, and crowds gathered to see the wounded man and woman removed to the Hospital for treatment. The woman died at the Hospital at 3 o'clock on Saturday morning.

[BY TELEGRAPH— OWX CORRESPONDENT,] Auckland, Monday. The inquest on the body of Kate Kennedy was held at the hospital to-day before Dr. Philson, coroner. Dr. Hooper deposed that after the mut dor occurred he attended McDermott, who answered nil his questions clearly. He stated that his reason for firing at Kate was because she was always annoying him and that she had taken away his pipe and destioyed his tobacco. The doctor asked liiin if lie thought that a sufficient cause for shooting her but got no reply. Dr Lindsay deposed that McDermott was still in the hospital and would probably recover, no vital part being struck. He said McDerinott was an obstinate man, but spoke rationally and appeared in a sound state of mind. The jury returned a verdict to the effect that the deceased died from a gun-shot wound inflicted by Michael McDermott, but whether intentionally or otherwise there is no evidence to show. jMcDerinott's condition is now improving.