THE ARAROA TRAGEDY

Evening Star, Issue 12473, 7 April 1905, Page 7

THE ARAROA TRAGEDY

The inquest on John Sunckell, who on March 21 murderously assaulted his wi.e at Gougk Bay, Akaroa, and died from self-inflicted wounds, was resumed at Akaroa yesterday, before Mr V. G. Day, coroner. The medical evidence was to the effect that death was due to hemorrhage, resulting from a cut in the throat. Regarding Mrs bunckell's. wounds, Dr liargreaves said that on examining her he found a contused wound and a good many bruises. There was a contused wound over the left jaw and much swelling, extending to the lower lip; a contused wound on the right eyebrow, and a black eye; along the nose, on tho right side, extending across the cheek, there was an incised wound, said to be caused by a stick; on the wrist of the left forearm, and also on the right wrist, there were small jagged wounds, said to be caused by a saw; on the scalp were three wounds, each about three-quarters of an inch long. Lucy Sunckell, widow of deceased, after describing me events which led up to the assault, stated :—" I had lived with my daughter, Mrs Lelievre, since June, 1903. I remember the deceased coming to Mr Lelievre's on March 21. Mr Harrow, myself, and two daughters were there. The deceased spoke to Mr Harrow and shook hands. I do not know where he went then. I heard one of my daughters scream, and I went into the kitchen and saw the accused striking Mrs Lelievre, who said : 'He struck me in the face.' Deceased then turned and struck me with a huntingcrop, and I fell on the floor. I pulled the deceased down by the legs, and Mrs Lelievre screamed to Mr Harrow, who was on the verandah. Mr Harrow came in and struck deceased twice with a little axe. Mr Harrow then went away. The deceased continued to knock me about— I think v/ith the crop. 1 was still on the iloor, as I could not get up. The deceased got up after a short lime, and said : ' I'll settle you, you ' He then went outside, and afterwards came and looked for a gun, which was in the bedroom, but ho could not find the cartridges. When told to find the cartridges, I said : ' I cannot get up.' He then went into the kitchen for the carving knife, and, having got it, sharpened it, saying :' This is for you, and me, too.' I then scrambled outside. Deceased went into the washhouse, and got a tin of kerosene, which he sprinkled about the back door. He then lighted tho kerosene, setting fire to the house, saying : ' I will roast you, you .' I rolled off the verandah, but he got hold of me by tho shoulders and dragged me up. Some time after Mr Frank Lelievre came in, and then Mr Mansfield. The deceased sat down besido me and watched the firs till Mr Mansfield came. He shook hands and spoke to Mr Mansfield, afterwards going away with the knife and steel (produced). There was no blood on them then, and there was no injury to his throat when he went away. Ido not know where he went. My daughters had gone for help. The deceased was not long on the ground after being struck by Mr Harrow. The deceased had plenty of opportunity of carrying out his threat to kill me." Harrow and others gave evidence of a similar character. The verdict returned was that deceased committed suicide by cutting his throat.