SHOCKING MURDER.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXI, Issue 293, 10 December 1900, Page 5

SHOCKING MURDER.

A MAN KILLS HIS SON.

TRAGEDY IX FRAXKLIX ROAD

A lamentable tragedy of a sensational character occurred on Saturday night in Franklin Road, Ponsonby. A man named James Miller cut his little son's throat and then attempted suicide. The news startled the residents of Franklin Road considerably, and a shocking scene presented itself when the police went to the house.

Janies Miller, a man about 38 years of ago, resided in a house next to Kerr & Owsley's stables, Franklin Road, with his family. He had lived for seven years with a young woman named Sarah Ann Piper as his wife, who has three children,

Miller had lived for a considerable time in the Waikato and Raglan dis-

tricts, and many years ago he was

struck on the head by a falling tree, and was for a time out of his mind, lie was latterly engaged as a carter by Mr. Lovett, of Auckland. He formerly lived in Union-street, but some weeks ago shifted to Franklin Road. Last Tuesday he had a quarrel with his wife, and she left the house, talcing her three children with her, the eldest being a girl six years old; the boy (now deceased), aged four years; and a baby LS months of age. From the conduct of the man Mrs. Miller believed her life was in danger, and although he found out where 'she had gone to and asked her to return, she would not do so.

On Friday night Miller saw some of his aetpiaintances, and spoke to them about his domestic affairs. He said he hadn't had a square meal for some time, and said he would sell oil aud go into lodgings, as his wife wouldn't come back. ,

On Saturday night Miller again went to the house where Sarah Ann Piper was staying (in Pitt-street) and asked her to come back. She refused, and ho left, taking the little boy, Herbert I.dward George Piper, with him. He said he would not harm the boy, and as the little fellow wished to go the mother did not interfere, although she was strongly opposed to the boy going.

.Miller then went home to Franklin Boad with little Herbert, and he sippears to have at once-killed his son. The 'tragedy occurred shortly after nine p.m. The deed was committed with a butcher's knife, with which Miller cut the boy's throat right across. The unfortunate man then attempted io cut his own throat, but he had apparently previously made preparations for hanging himself, as he had cut down the clothesline in the back yard and fastened it to the bannisters of the staircase. About a quarter past niue o'clock Miller went out on to his verandah and called out to his next door neighbour. Mr Thomas Farquhar, that h. had cut the throat lof his son in the bedroom, and had tried to cut his own. -Mr Farquhar went to the Freeman's Bay Police Station and informed Constable Finnerty.

When Constable Finnerty entered the house a terrible, scene met his eyes. In the bedroom the boy was stretched out dead on the bed, which was covered with blood, his throat cut from one side to the other. The little fellow had tightly clutched ih his hands a penny. Miller was also lying on the bed, with a wound in his throat, but the bleeding had almost stopped. Dr. Bedford and Dr. Moir promptly came down and attended to Miller's injuries. Constables Brown aud Harvey, of the, Ponsonby police station, also arrived. Miller was taken up in the ambulance to the Hospital, when he was handed over to the Hospital staff, Constable Sullivan being left to keep a watch over him. An inquest was opened yesterday at the house by Dr. McArthur, Coroner, and a jury of six, of whom Mr. T. Abbott was chosen foreman. Inspector Cullen and other members of the police were, present. The boy's body was viewed, after which the mother, Sarah Ann Piper, gave evidence. She said she -was the mother of the deceased child. She and Miller had been living as husband and wife for seven years. Deceased was four years old on the 22nd of this month. Inspector Cullen siad he did not propose to go further that da. than to have the body identified. The inquest was accordingly adjourned till Wednesday, at 10 a.m., at the Criterion Hotel, Albert-street. The body of the boy was handed over to the mother for interment.

Miller is expected to recover soon, ns his Avounds are not dangerous. He attempted to take his life, it is said, on previous occasions. When lie was living at Raglan some years ago be attempted suicide, and last August he ■attempted to lvancf himself with a sirup, but a Maori lodger in the house Ctrl him down. After he met with his accident in the bush some years ago he was for a time in the Avondale Lunatic Asylum, under the care of Vr. Younfi. He and the woman he .iv* . wbr*. had many quarrels nwins" to Miller'" violent temuer, and he repeatedl" arsaulted. her. He had promised to marry her, but always kent putting it off on the score, of not: havin-rn.-'m.y enomrh. Aoart from T>* . fenrner. which was so unn*ovornnble that hf.*n wife often IVnred for her life, his cerduct con hi not l*-e orvmrdriiried of, as he was sober and industrious.