A SHOCKING TRAGEDY.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 625, 30 September 1909, Page 8

A SHOCKING TRAGEDY.

WOMAN KILLED BY A MADMAN VERDICT OP WILFUL MURDER. IBi iTelecrapb.-Preta Association.) , Dargaville, September 29. A shocking tragedy ocohrred a little after eight o'clock this morning, when Mrs. Kjer, wife of Mr. H. Kjer, an old resident of Northern Wairoa, was murdered in Victoria Street by/a'lunatic named Allwood. Mrs. Kjer was alone at home, and was in bed reading, when Allwood entered .carrying a heavy cane knife, almost like a.scythe. She jumped out of bed and ran into the street screaming, being pursued by Allwood. When in the centre of the road. she apparently fainted or fell from 01haustion, when AUwood reached her and strack' her three blows, one of which broke her neck. Allwood only returned from the Avondale asylum two or three days ago, and, according to all accounts, should never have been. released. Mrs. Kjer, who was about 42 years of age, was greatly esteemed. She leaves a husband and; three children. : At the ooroner's inquest one witness, named Jeanne Dun, stated that she was standing at' her gate nearly. opposite deceased's lato residence, and hearing an altercation in the road turned towards the direction from which the Sound came, and saw the woman with her arms up' trying to push heT assailant off. When deceased timed to get away from Allwood, he struck her down, using great force with the instrument he used. •'■ ' Another witness saw deceased-fall, and said that the" murderer, using both hands, hit her down as if cutting wood. , Medical evidence stated that death was instantaneous, . the neck being broken' by the blow. The coroner stated that he had nothing to do _with the asylum matter, his duty being to inquire into,the cause of death. \He had no hesitation in returning a verdict that deceased was wilfully, murdered by George Allwood. .' Accused, who seemed to." be quite unconcerned, said he bad nothing to say. He will' be formally charged wrththe'erime to-morrow.