THE MARTON TRAGEDY.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIII, Issue 302, 18 December 1912, Page 4

THE MARTON TRAGEDY.

TTRQUHART A BIAB-RXED MAW. WIFE'S PAINFUL STORY. (Bγ Telegraph.—Press AssoetatJon.) MARTON, Tuesday. At the inquest held to-day upon H- W. Urquhart, of Wellington, and Lorna Gordon, of Marton, the victims of yesterday's tragedy, evidence of the father of Urquhart showed that hi 3 son was worried, and did not sleep. His son and wife had lived happily till the former came to Marton. ITie wife liad taken Court proceedings which were afterwards quashed. The girl Gordon and deceased were photographed together, which led to his son's wife applying for a separation order. His son told witness he represented himself to his victim as a single man. He was 28 yeare of age. The girl's brother said the ! o kept company till it was discovered that Urquhart was married, when they instructed a lawyer to write to Urquhart on November 27. forbidding any communication with the girl, or he would be prosecuted for libel contained in letters and telegrams he had sent. Dr. Scott deposed that he found the man shot in two places through the abdomen and heart, the second bullet passing through the body, and coming out at the shoulder blade. The girl was shot in three places, one bullet causing a flesh wound in the left arm, above the elbow, one passing through the right side, and coming out on the left side, and another causing a wound in the left side on a level with the heart. The shots had been fired at the girl at close quarters. From the position of the bodies, he believed they were sitting together when the act was committed. John Lowrie, the girl's brother-in-law, said he had known Urquhart fifteen months, and he represented himself as single. There wa3 some talk of an engagement between the two, and the girl's parents gave their consent, but wiahed to know more about Urquhart before the marriage, which he wanted to take place at once. About a year ago Urquhart returned to Wellington, and the girl went there as a lady help for a month or two. She returned to Marton on account of ill-health, but went back to Wellington. She then learnt that Urquhart was married, and returned to Marton. Urquhart tried to communicate with her by letters and telegrams containing threats. Lily Urquhart, the wife of deceased, said she had always been on friendly terms with her husband until the girl Gordon came into their lives. She accused her husband of carrying on an affair, .. and he promised co desist, and told Miss Gordon to discontinue the acquaintance, which she refused to do. Witness issued a warrant for her husband's arrest for desertion, but could not prove her case. They had two children, a boy and a girl. Witness knew her husband represented himself as single. Last week her husband I told her he would give her thfi shock of her life. After further evidence of a formal nature had been heard, a verdict of "Murder and suicide vrhile temporarily insane " -was returned.