WOMAN MURDERED

Greymouth Evening Star, 5 October 1931, Page 5

WOMAN MURDERED

HUSBAND FOUND WOUNDED HAMILTON SENSATION [per press association.] AUCKLAND, October 4. A shocking domestic tragedy occurred at Liverpool Street, Hamilton, shortly before midnight last night, when Mrs. Lois Alexandra Smith, aged 29 years, died from a wound in the throat, and her husband, Walter Arthur Smith, aged 50, was found with a severe wound in the throat. Smith s condition is serious, but he has a fair chance of recovery. Tho tragedy occurred in the front bedroom of a four-roomed rough-cast cottage at the corner of Liverpool and Vialou streets.

Mrs. Smith was the second daughter of Mr. W. E. Burrow, undertaker, of Hamilton. She was born in Auckland, and lived most of her life in Hamilton. She was Smith’s third wife, and had married him about five years ago. There are two children of the marriage, aged 4 years and one year respectively. Smith was born in Temuka, and has been a resident of Hamilton for about 20 years. He is a painter by trade. He served in the war, and held the rank of captain. Formerly he was Drum Major in the Hamilton Band.

Smith had had a good deal of financial worry lately, and five months ago he filed a petition in bankruptcy, as the result of which his home in Frankton was sold. He had two children by a former marriage, Reginald Smith, aged 18, who lives in Christchurch, and Phyllis Smith, aged 16. who was in the house when the tragedy occurred.

Acting on her father’s instructions, Phyllis Smith rang Dr. Waddell just before midnight. On his arrival at the house, the Doctor found Mrs. Smith lying on the bedroom floor in a pool of blood. There was also blood on the bed clothes. Mrs. Smith had probably been dead about half an hour. Smith was standing at the bedroom door with blood flowing from a wound in his throat, and a blood-stained pocketknife was found in the room. Both the husband and wife were in their night attire. After his wound had been bandaged, Smith was conveyed, to the Waikato Hospital in custody. An inquest was opened before Coroner Wyvern Wilson, S.M., this afternoon. Evidence was given by Rev. L. M. Rogers. In answer to the Coroner, witness said that tho domestic relations of Smith and his wife had not been happy. The inquest was adjourned sine die. It was stated at the hospital to-day that Smith’s condition was satisfactory. MAN’S CONDITION. HAMILTON, October 5. No change is reported in the condition of Arthur Walter Smith. His condition is still dangerous, although there is every chance of his recovery.