AN QNEHUNGA TRAGEDY.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 546, 29 June 1909, Page 6

AN QNEHUNGA TRAGEDY.

BOARDER WOUNDS HIS LANDLADY. AND SHOOTS HIMSELF. (By Telegraph.—Frees AasooiatlonO . Auckland, June 28. A German who went under the name of L. W. Homer, and was boarding at a houso kept by Mrs. Phoebe Cornish, Campbell Road, next the Boyal Oak Hotel (near Onehunga), shot at Mrs. Cornish on Sunday morning. - Sho raised hor left hand as she saw the revolver, and the bullet struck her forearm. A second shot struck her on the left temple, but the bullet glanced off the bone. Bomer then shot himself dead. -Mrs. Cornish, though suffering great pain, is not fatally hurt. Barrett, one of the boarders, states that at breakfast on - Sunday morning Bomer was dull and morose. After breakfast he kept going in and put of the bouse, and was heard to ejaculate, "Gladys 'wants, a mother 1" Later, Mrs. Cornish said to him, _ "Mri Homer, I will not have you cross-questioning my children about my movements." ' Nothing further was heard by Barrett until two loud leports rang out. A medical man and the police armed shortly afterwards. Tkat tile deed was premeditated was proved finding a note on tho dining-room table, wrrlr ton in lead pencil, as follows:— ' "I know too much of Mrs.. Cornish's doings now, for she has plotted now for some time, by, trying to injure my char- . acter. I fcberoforo commit this deed. . Sooner death than disgrace, for- my life ■has always been pure. My real name,is not Homer.—Signed, R. .'.- • "': Romer, it 13 alleged, had previously stated that the German Consul knew,, all about him. On a chest in his room is painted in. largo letters the following: "A Ron M." He was believed to be an ei-officer in the German army, receiving a liberal allowance from r&: latives. ■' ;: . . ■. ■ ' . ■,-•,- MRS. CORNISH'S STATEMENT. (By Telegraph.—Special Correspondent.) : . Auckland, June 28. When, a • reporter called on Mrs.' Phoebe Cornish this morning at the scene of yesterday's tragedy he found her confined to her bed. She gave tho following account of tho occurrence:—"From, the time hp got up" yesterday Romer appeared to be in a partioularly excitable -mood. : After breakfast he qame A to me and asked could lie not take my little gird Gladys: out to play cricket with him. I replied that I did not liko tho girls playing games on Sundays, and> he became very-angry. 1 He. claimed to be an Atheist; and said, that it was foolish .for mo to hold such:.views on the': question. I was peeling apples nf the. time, niid was moving backwards and forwards between■' tho. kitcheii; table and the stove. 1 did'not notice what Romer was doing until I felt'the, muzzle, of a Tovolver pressed against -ariy left temple. Even, then I was more surprised than frightened. I did not '-think that he meant to do' more -than eeare me', as it was, not the first time that he had scared a (.member of' tho household with a revolver.', I said to him: How dare you? Don't you know thai' that is a dangerous and serions thing to do?" •The Shooting. "Whilo.l was speaking he -went as far as the i glass door leading into tho hall, and then without a word ho-fired point blank at mo. The bullet missed me; and I soreamed. .1 was, standing' just between tho;.'-.kitchen table and the range, and Romer took one , step towards me evident intenfion of firing again.. -I raised my left arm'to pro-, fact my face, and as ( I : did, bo the Gorman fired again. ' The shot passed • through. my■ wrist, and tho.same bullet stiuck my forehead. I rushed but. into the yard, and as I staggered down the steps I heard tho voice of my other 'lodger, Mr. 'Barrett; 'and ,■ he seemed to say,/' That's enough, Romor,'., or something like that." . • '-.■"•/-' . ' '.. / .Possible Explanation of ttie-Act. In, explanation' of ••tho. 'act, -Mrs. Cornish. wont T on to say, that she-had given Bomer notice to go, but be refused to do so, , and Bhe was afraid to force him to ! lea'vo;''" , Sbme days,ago ho had said: "If you turn mo'oat, I will be a long enemy to you." Mrs; Cornish replied: "f cannot help that. You must gol" "On the Thursday,", continued .Mrs: Cornish, v "Romor came to mo and said 'Withdraw all you have said, and let us : be friends. I will give you ; £spo if yon will elope...with m 0 . ,; On my, refusal, Homer added: 'You think I am a!detective, and that I am here to spy upon you; I will prove to you who I am.' Hβ then,' brought'. an album and ohoiyed me'a: number of'photos of .people whom ho said: were .relatives of his in Germany.'. He presently added: 'How dare you • give. me notice to go? ~-I will make you'pay hundreds' ■of if you "dare to order me-to leayo tho house!' That ovening,' , continued Mrs. Cornish,; who was telling, her" etory lucidly although Buffering severe'pain, , '.'I told him :tJiat,, after pointing : a revolver,', at' my ■daughter, as he hadtdono that day, I would not think of allowing him to remain in the house." " .\■' v •., ; - ' .'. ■ • .' "An». Extraordinary, Man , ." . Speaking of Romerls conduct generally, Mrs.: Cornish said: "Previous to coming as a lodger to my house, he'resided with Mr. Bellinghara in ; Trafalgar Street, and Romer several'times told me that ho would like to. make, mincemeat of the whole .Bollingham family. .He-said that the day would come when he would -.be revenged on the whole lot of. them. On another occasion, ho'said ho.had ibet young Bellingham. at the Royal Oak corner, and .had had' the greatest diffloulty in-restraining himself from 'smashing .him, up.'.-. In every, way he was a most extraordinary'.man.!,:. ■'. .'■',. , Romer, according to.'Mrs. Cornish,: was a well-educated -man; and told her he had been, in New Zealand for. five 'years. Ho saidthat,he received remittances from Germany to.the extent of £44 per.month, but never.seemed'ito.havo.much money, though he; seemed,,to largely please himself about going to work. . .; • .-I.,■■'.: ■■■'■'.