THE PALMERSTON TRAGEDY.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVII, Issue 72, 24 March 1906, Page 7

THE PALMERSTON TRAGEDY.

In the telegraphed report of the Palmerston North tragedy it was stated that the cause was Mrs. Harris' jealousy of Ada Davidson, Murfitt's niece, with whom Murfitt had been living at Hoko--vhitu. We are iaf-ormed by a .brother of Ada Davidson that the latter had not been staying with Murfitt; that, as a matter of fact, his sister was in Sydney at the time of the tragedy. Murfitt, it appears, was staying at Otahuhu some time ago with Mrs. Harri3, when the latter became ill, and Ada Davidson went to assist her in the house. When Mrs. Harris recovered she went to a fortune-teller in Auckland, and was informed that a dark girl was standing in her way. In this " dark girl" Mrs. Harris evidently recognised Ada Davidson, and the incident is believed to have been the origin of the tragedy. Murfitt and Mrs. Harris left Auckland about ten months ago. Ada Davidson stayed with her brother at Otahuhu till July last, then proceeded to Wellington, ■where her mother and sister reside. She remained in Wellington, we are informed, until she went to Sydney. Murfitt used to vi_.it the Davidson's residence when his racing engagements took him to Wellington.