AN EXTRAORDINARY TRAGEDY

Auckland Star, Volume L, Issue 254, 25 October 1919, Page 19

AN EXTRAORDINARY TRAGEDY

Gritl. LURED BY FA/LSE ALARM. Sensational indeed are the circumstances surrounding the latest of the chain of tragedies which has followed the war, says the "Weekly Mall and Uecord." "1 thought he was going to kiss her," said an eyewitness of deed, when -he described how Frederick Scott, the man who ls charged with the murder, threw his arm round the girl's neck to carry out his deadly work. The victim ls tMlsa 'Ilebecca Qulnn, a young woman employed as a housekeeper near New Dclaval, and Scott Is an ex-naval seaman, who Is employed at the colliery there.

The outstanding feature of the extraordinary tragedy are that Miss Qnlnn was killed In the middle of the day on a much used footpath, and In the presence of a third party. -She was in domestic service as a housekeeper to a miner named Elijah Smith, at ißfbside. after having served four years In Queen Mary's Army Auxiliary •Corps. Scott, whom she had known only a few weeks, ls stated to have -been attracted to her and to have expressed a desire for marriage. His attentions, however, did not find favour, and during the week-end Miss Qulnn Is said to have offered objection to any further attention on his part.

i A strange rii?e appears to have been adopted by Scott In order to Induce Miss Qulnn awny from her situation nt Bebsido. She was the mother of a child, to whom she was devotedly attached. This child was living with her parents at New Delaval, and It transpires that Scott sent a messenger and also a note to 'Miss Qulnn telling ber that her child had been seriously scalded. Messages to that effect were received by Miss Qulnn. She was naturally upset and decided there and then to start for New Delaval. She was accompanied by Mrs. Davidson, an acquaintance.

"Scott went with them, walking on Miss Quinn's left. When they'got towards New Delavnl Pit I said, 'You will be going to the pit now?' but ho replied, 'No, I am going straight on.' Scott then pnt an arm round Miss Quinn's neck. Thinking he was going to kiss her, I looked the other way. Almost immediately I heard a gush!lry* sound, and, looking towards the girl. I ravr her stagger and fall. Her dress was covered with blood, which was coming from a wound In her throat. The look on the girl's face told mc she was dying. I saw Scott close something, which might have been a knife or a rozar. He Jumped on to the railway, and bolted like a madiuian."

The hue and cry was soon in full blast, and the man arrested.