MURDER AND SUICIDE.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 53, Issue 204, 10 June 1933, Page 3

MURDER AND SUICIDE.

THE WANGANUI TRAGEDY

VERDICT AT THE INQUEST.

(Per Press Association). WANGANUI, June 9

“There is no evidence to show that Mrs Gordon was a consenting party,” said the Coroner (Air S. AI. Dixon) in delivering his verdict in respect to the deaths of Nellie Gordon and Joseph Nathaniel Gordon, which occurred under tragic circumstances at the ATetropolitan Hotel just after 1 o’clock on June 3. He found that Airs Gordon met her death from wounds in the throat inflicted by her husband, and that Gordon , died from wounds in the throat self-inflicted.

A notebook was produced in which appeared passages written in indelible pencil purporting to have been signed by both as having agreed to die together. The evidence went to show, ■however, that the writing was that of the husband.

Detective J. Walsh, who appeared for the police, was definitely of the opinion that the writing was that of Gordon, and none of it that of his wife.

The Coroner said lie was satisfied that the writing was all that of one person.

The evidence went to show that the woman had left her husband. She came to Wanganui on May 30 to stay with a married woman who had previously resided in Patea, and with whom she had been very friendly. She made it clear to her friend t\mt she was leaving her husband for a man named Stan Thompson. He was to take her to Australia. Her husband visited her at Wanganui, and according to the witness with whom the woman was staying he had become reconciled to a separation.

It was shown that on Juno 3 the husband and Thompson both came to Wanganui with the intention of going to the Wanganui-Taranaki Rugby match. They met on the Patea station, travelled in the same carriage and were met by the woman at Wanganui. The trio went to the commercial room of the Metropolitan Hotel, whore they all had drinks. Gordon, after getting drinks from the bar, told Thompson that the licensee wanted to see him. Thompson went out, leaving Gordon and his wife together. He had a drink with the licensee and conversed with him for fivo or seven minutes. When ho went back to the commercial room ho found both Gordon and his wife on the floor. Mrs Gordon was* still and Gordon was gasping. In reply to the father of Mrs Gordon, Thompson said that on two occasions Gordon had expressed himself as reconciled to his wife leaving him and going to .witness.