SEW CROSS TRAGEDY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 11644, 4 May 1901, Page 2 (Supplement)

SEW CROSS TRAGEDY.

DEATH OF THE GIBE- WHO WAS SHOT BY HER SWEETHEART. Lillian" D;>tE, aged 13, who was shot by her sweetheart. Joseph Porter, at New Cross, on March 8. died in Miller's Hospit tl a few days thereafter. At the inquest, the following letter, found in the possession of the deceased woman, was read: — 'Dear Li!..—Perhaps under the circumstances I should not write to you. but though it is only two days since I saw you it seems like two years, and I feci I must write. Until Monday I could always console myself wilt the thought of happiness in store for me, but even that :s denied me. and now the misery of being paired from you has increased tenfold. "I should certainly have ended it at once ,_ * for your promise to write to me, and it is only that which keeps mo here. I with to as': you to be good to me once more, and meet me at your earliest opportunity. I will promise you faithfully not to keep you late. Put it, is necessary that I should tell von one or two th : ngs before I go. When I was putting my box straight everything reminded me of those happy days when I was everything to you. That cigar case and the. tobacco, with a card ' From Lil. with love to dear Jo?.' Do yen remember that, and th? happy days we spent together? Oh! 1 was so bsppy. It is such thoughts as these that mr.ke my tinhappiness more great. I cannot go on as I am, and am pnxiously waiting for the meeting which you have decreed to be the last. Ido not want you to worry, but for the sake of the love you once thought for me just give me a chance of saying 'Goodbye.' I can never forget you, and to live without you is impossible, for I love you as dearLy as ever. Be kind, and let me see you soon, arid you shall never again be troubled by your broken -he lover. Joe." The jury returned a verdict of '"Wilful murder" against Porter, and expressed the opinion that more restriction should be placed on the sale of firearms.