Horrible Murder.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XXXV, Issue 4026, 31 August 1898, Page 2

Horrible Murder.

A WOMAN KILLED AND TWO' CHILDREN WOUNDED. THE MURDERER SUICIDE. Per Peess Association— By Electric Telegraph— Copyright. Sydney, August 30. A man named Lisson, residing in George street, shot and killed a woman, supposed to be his sister inlaw, and seriously wounded his four children. He then made a determined attempt to cut his own throat. He was arrested. Later. A terrible tragedy was enacted in George-street this forenoon, resulting in a girl named Lily Garrick being shot dead by a tobacconist named Lisson, while several others were wounded. Lisson is carrying on business in the street named, and the girl murdered was a sister of iurs Lisoon's and was staying with the Lissons. Lisson opened his shop as usual this morning, and shortly after went upstairs to the rooms where the family lived, with a traveller named Mordaunt. Subsequently a shot was heard, and Mordaunt, wounded in the head, rushed out. When the police arrived on the scene they found the girl shot dead. Eisson's two little boy's heads were badly battered, and their condition is regarded as serious. Mrs Lisson, who endeavoured to save her children, was seriously wounded in the arm. Mordaunt states that Lisson suddenly attacked him with a hammer, aud after a severe struggle he managed to escape. Subsequently Lisson attacked the other members of the family, and then attempted to cut his own throat. He was taken into custody. Mordaunt was a 'traveller for Lisson, and quarrelled with him a few days ago, but the latter expressed regret, and asked Mordaunt to come this morning and sign an agreement. While writing this document in the office, Lisson felled him wich a hammer. In the desperate struggle for life which ensued, Lisson dropped the hammer, and rushed at Mordaunt with a knite. Just as the point touched the lob of Mordaunt's ear, the assailant slipped, and Mordaunt, j breaking away, escaped. Lisson's wife, evidently hearing the struggle, entered the room, threw herself upon the infuriated man, and prevented pursuit of Mordaunt. Lisson then shot at her, and as she wrenched the revolver away the I bullet passed through her hand. Lisson then dashed out of the i room, when he met his sister-in-law. Meanwhile, he had picked .up a shot gun, fuliy loaded, and fired at his relation at short range. The full charge entered under the chin, instantly killing her. Two sons, Victor and Rowley, 9 and 7 years of age respectively, were the next victims, the father battering their heads with a hammer. A police officer smartly seized Lisson, who (contrary to the first statements) made no attempt on his own life, and went quietly to the police station, remarking that he wished he "had finished the Jew," referring evidently to Mordaunt, and that he ought to have killed the whole lot.

The eldest boy is making goad progress. The jsoungest is being operated on. The prisoner is of Fronoh extraption, but a native of the colony. He is a man of means and property, but has an ungovernable temper, and was regarded as a somewhat dangerously vio.ent man. He occupies his time in the cell whistling and singing. So far, the aotual cause leading to the tragedy U not known.

The Kaponga Co-operative Dairy Company's Factory is now near completion* and it is understood will be opened on or about the Ist of September. There is every likelihood of a large supply of milk to begin with, as cows are coming in rapidly.

Captain Edwin telegraphs :— Galea from between N.E. and N. and W. at all places south of Napier and New Plymouth; barometer fall.