ATTACKED WITH AN AXE.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1290, 19 November 1896, Page 37

ATTACKED WITH AN AXE.

Greymouth, November 11. The man George Gillingham, who attacked his wife and a woman named Scalmer with an axo when he came home and found them in a state of intoxication, has been for some years resident in Cobden, and has always been noted as a quiet, industrious man.

When he entered the house, he spoke rather sharply to the two women, and the woman Scalmer then informed him that the drink had been procured and brought, to them by his own daughter. This retort appears to have driven him into a state of perfect frenzy. Ho conk Scalmer and, thrusting her out of the back door, asked one of his children, “ Where is tho axe f’

Then ho ran into the back yard, and, bringing in a largo American axe, rushed savagely on his wife, who was helplessly drunk, holding a baby,in her arms, and evidently struck her with the back of the axe on the nose and mouth, knocking her senseless on the floor, his little daughter rushing m and picking up the infant, whilst Gillingham continued to strike his wife and inflicted several additional blows.

He then cried out to his child, "Where is the other woman ?” and, rushing out. it is supposed,{struck her on the back of the head and laid her skull open. The little girl in the meantime had run out of the house in terror. No sooner was the act committed than Gillingham apparently realised his position, lie went after his daughter and said, " Como in, 1 have killer? them both,” and then proceeded in a very methodical manner to prepare tea for Lis. children. On the way to the lock-up Gillingham nearly fainted, and had to bo carried along by the two constables. When 1 ho police were taking him a,way women and children, crowded round, desiring to kiss and shake* hands with Gillingham, who was always respected as a quiet, orderly, sober man, and a general favourite in the locality.

J ncleecl, the police had great difficulty in getting rid of the crowd. Gillingham was brought before two justices this morning and remanded for eight days. Mrs Gillingham is conscious, and likely to recover. Mrs Scalmers, who was removed to the Hospital, has regained confciousness, but is in a very precarious condition. Her life, however, is not wholly despaired of.