STREET TRAGEDY

Evening Star, Issue 18623, 2 May 1924, Page 2

STREET TRAGEDY

QUARREL OVER WOfMM.

HER HUSBAND STABBED,

[Per United Press Association.]

WELLINGTON, May 2

A fatality occurred at. about 7 o'clock Inst, night in front of the Waitangi Board-ing-house, in Boulcott stre-iit. It is understood that Walter John Whall, n waterside worker, aged forty, accompanied by two companions (D. Wilson and a man named M’Loughton), called on Joseph Barnes, employed as a, cook at the Waitangi, for Hie express purpose of remonstrating with him for paying attention to Whall's wife. Barney was called out of the house, and Whall accused him of paring undue attention to his wife. Words led to blows, and a bout of fisticuffs followed, of which Whall, who was the more powerful, man, had tho better. It is stated that Barnes flien entered the house, but shortly afterwards returned. Whall and his companions by this lime had proceeded up a right-of-way which leads to Boulcott street.. Barnes overtook them before they reached the street, and the fight was resumed. Not- many blows had been struck when Whall staggered and fell at tho feet of one of his companions. It was seen that Whall was .seriously injured, and he shortly afterwards collapsed. At this stage Mrs Whall appeared on tho scene and at once went to her husband.

“ Rosie, Tam done.” ai<l the injured man. and he died in a. few minutes. It was discovered than Whall had been stabbed in the abdomen, the wound severing the main artery. He actually bled (o death in the slroft. Medical aid was summoned as soon as [ho tragedy occurred, but the injured man was then beyond human help. The police were also .soon upon the spot, and as a result of their investigations Barnes was arrested at 11 o’clock on a charge of murder.

Barnes, while admitting that lie fought with Whall, denied that ho had a knife in his possession at tho time, or that he had used one.

Whall was married seven year? ago to Rose Lurch, of Christchurch, but the union was an unhappy one, and the- pair separated several times. Some time ago Mre Whall, who is about twenty-nine years of age, became acquainted with Barnes, who is also separated from his wife, and the pair-aro said to have gn wu very friendly. A fortnight ago Mrs Whall returned to her husband, but again left him a fow days ago.