WANGANUI TRAGEDY

Dominion, Volume 26, Issue 218, 10 June 1933, Page 12

WANGANUI TRAGEDY

Death of Married Couple: Coroner’s Finding EVIDENCE AT INQUEST Dominion Special Service. Wanganui, June 9. That Nellie Gordon met her death as a result of wounds inflicted by a razor wielded by her husband, Joseph N. Gordon, and that Gordon himself died of wounds self-inflicted, was the verdict returned by the coroner, Mr. S. M. Dixon, at the inquest held this afternoon concerning the deaths of the husband and wife, who were victims of the double tragedy in Wanganui on the King’s Birthday. The coroner said the question had been raised as to whether Mrs. Gordon had been a consenting party. There was no evidence to show she had. Charles Adams, father of Ihe deceased woman, sail, he was informed six weeks back that his daughter was on friendly terms with S. Thompson, of Patea. Two ’ weeks back Joseph Gordon, the husband, called at witness's place and said his wife was going away with Thompson. Gordon asked witness to try to effect reconciliation. On seeing his daughter she gave witness the impression of being infatuated with Thompson. Later witness learned that his daughter had gone to Wanganui. Witness said that Gordon saw his wife in Wanganui, but she would not return. Gordon told witness that he finally said, “If I had had a gun with me I would have shot both of us.” Gordon admitted that his wife had returned their wedding ring. 'Witness told Thompson to leave his daughter alone. Stanley Thompson said ho used to meet Mrs. Gordon at dances. About two weeks ago Mrs. Gordon decided to leave her husband. He understood Gordon was agreeable to this. Witness sent Mrs. Gordon a telegram on June 2 advising her of his arrival in ■Wanganui the next day. On the Saturday, said witness, he met Gordon on the Patea Railway Station and said he was going to a football match in Wanganui. Gordon said lie was going also, and both travelled together in the carriage. On arrival in Wanganui witness met Mrs. Gordon, and all three went into the Metropolitan Motel. All were friendly. Witness went to get drinks and left husband and wife in the sitting room. Returning shortly after he discovered that the double tragedy had taken place. . Witness said there was no truth in the rumour that he was going to Australia with Mrs. Gordon. Detective Walsh said a pocket book discovered on the male deceased contained several entries, among which was one which read: “Joe and Nell, good-bye, bury us together.—Joe.”