A SYDNEY TRAGEDY

Evening Star, Issue 18158, 26 December 1922, Page 9

A SYDNEY TRAGEDY

HUSBAND WOJJNDS WIFE. THEN SHOOTS HIMSELF, There was a sensation in Westbourno street, Petersham, Sydney, when Francis William Mounser lived three shots at his wife, Kato Mounaor, seriously injuring her. (iSho died later.) Ho then turned the revolver and allot himself through the right temple. He died on the way to the Royal 'Prince Alfred Hospital. A Ira Mounser was in a critical state when found. The cause of the shooting is eaid to have been brought about by domestic unhappiness. Mrs 'Mounser was Mr Mounsor’s second wife. There were four children by the first and five by the second marriage. They are living, but only three were at homo at the tune of tho shooting. Up till six months ago tho family lived in Victoria parade, Manlyj hut moved to WestbouridPstreot, Petersham, where Mrs Mounser, who had heou living apart from her husband, kept some boarders. About three months ago-be returned home, but troubles in tho household arose. Mrs Mounser and her daughter Betsy, aged sixteen, slept in a back room on the first floor, while the jjpusband slept in a room on the balcony. Two sons— Clement, aged seventeen, - and Sydney, aged fifteen —occupied rooms on the ground floor. . About 6.45 a.m. Mrs Mounser and her daughter got out of bed and commenced to dress themselves. A few minutes later Mr Mounser, who had dressed himself, entered Mrs Mounser’a bedroom. Turning to the girl, Mounser said : “ You get out of the room.” With that tho child ran from the room. Mrs Mounser was sitting on the bed in her room when- tho child walked into the .passage. As the child was going downstairs to speak to her brothers sho heard two reports from a revolver: There was a scream, and the two sons ran upstairs. As they were.about to enter tbe-room the father,”who had a smoking revolver in bis ■hand, turned on them. “ Get out of this or I’ll shoot you, too,” be roared. They moved away, and he slammed the door. ” The lads ran from the house to got assistance. The girl, who was standing near the bottom "of the stairs, heard another shot and later a fourth shot. There is no doubt that three shots were fired at Mrs Monnser, for she had two wounds in the body and one in the head, and the fourth bullet was fired by Mourner at himself. One of tho 'bullets went through Mrs Mounser, and was found later on the floor by tho police. Tho two sons ran across the street to the residence of Constable Ryan,, who had just returned from duty, and informed him of what had' happened. He dashed out of the house and met Constable Russell, who bad been sent from the Petersham Police Station in answer to a telephone qiessage. Going vipstairs the police found Mounser and his wife on the floor. The man was bleeding from the wound m his head. According to reports received by the police, Moun«er up till about ten years ago followed the occupation of a bootmaker, but bad earned bis living as an agent for some time. Ho bad some property. but in recent years it was disposed of. According to information re-'-civerl by tho police, bo and bis wife ouarrelled a great deal when they were living together.