THE WELLINGTON TRAGEDY.

Dunstan Times, Issue 919, 28 November 1879, Page 3

THE WELLINGTON TRAGEDY.

The following further particulars of the above dreadful event, which was conveyed in our last weeks telegraphic new-, the murder of both father and mother by a Son, and the suicide of the murderer we gather from our Dunedin Exchanges The only other particulars that have transpired are that it was Clarence, the elder, not Randolph, who committed the terrible deeds. He hj id been off woik, having a bad finger. This morning be seemed in his usual spirits, and went out, bad his linger dressed, and obtained his father’s medicine. JKcsterday he was observed by the servant loading a gun, and in reply to her inquiry said be was going to shoot a cat today. On Clarence’s return the servant gave the old man his medicine, and he went to sleep. Clarence then told her she could go about her work. She then went to a lawn at the back of the house to take in some clothes, and after an absence of less than a quarter of an hour came back, and saw Clarence at the back door sawing away at his throat with carving knife. Afterahouting “ Clarrry 1 Clarry 1” she rushed for assistance, unconscious of what had been done ; nsi .e, as she heard no noise while on the lawn. It appears that the gun was only loaded with powder, as the bedclothes where the old man lay were set on fire by the wadding. The body of the old gentleman was fearfully injured, as if the young fellow had smashed the gun over his father. The stock was lying on the bed and the barrel on the floor. It is conjectured that Mrs Miller was carrying some coals to the fire when attacked, as close to her body was a scuttlefiil scattered about. The family were quiet, respectable, and affectionate, and both lads were active and in-

diistriaua at their trade, although Clarence, who, as a rule, was cheerful and quiet, was s" joes to occasional fits of uncontrollable ‘r -ty The family history of the unfortunate liilima presents many features of sadness. There wore originally six sons—Edward, the eldest, who is in the Bank of N.S. Wales in Sydney j the second son, Waller Louis, committed suicide on the West ot his mind for a considerahletime ; Roland Herbert, is at the Cape ; the remaining two sons, are apprenticed. Tee father came out to New Zealand in 1853. He was engaged in farming for some time in Otago, but afterwards went into the Bank of N.S. Wales, as accountant, and was shorly afterwards appointed manager at Wellington. We may add that a brother of the late Mr E Miller is a London solicitor, and another in now manager of the Bank of N.S. Wales in Melbourne.