THE AKAROA TRAGEDY. CHRISTCHURCH, April 6.

Otago Witness, Issue 2665, 12 April 1905, Page 49

THE AKAROA TRAGEDY. CHRISTCHURCH, April 6.

The inquest on John Sunckell, who on March 21 murderously assaulted his wife afc Gough's Bay, Akaroa, and died from selfinflicted wounds, was resumed at Akaroa to-day, before Mr "V G. Day, coroner. The medical evidence was to the effect that death was due to hemorrhage, resulting; from a cut in the throat. Regarding Mrs Sunckell's wounds. Dr Hargreaves said on. examining her he found a contused wound and a good many bruises. There was a contused wound over the left jaw and much swelling, extending to the lower lip ; a contused wound on ihe right eyebrow, and a black eye; along the nose, on the- right side, extending across the cheek, there was an incised wound, said to b& caused by ja. stick ; on the wrist of the left forearm, and also on the right wrist, there were small jagged wounds, said to be caused by a. saw ; on the scalp were three wounds, each, about three-quarters of an inch long. Lucy Sunckell, widow of deceased, after describing the events which led up to th<* assault, stated:— -"I had lived with my daughter, Mrs Lelievre, since June,- 1903. I remembered the deceased coming to Mr Lelievre' s on March 21. Mr Harrow, myself, and two daughters were there. The deceased spoke to Mr Harrow and shook hands. I do noc know where he. went then. I heard one of my daughters scream, and I went into tho kitchen and saw the accused striking Mrs Lelievre, who said, 'He struck me in tho face.' Deceased then turned and struck me with a hunting-crop, and I fell on the floor. I pulled the deceased down by the legs, and Mrs Lelievre screamed to Mr Harrow, who was on the verandah. Mr Harrow came in and struck deceased twice with a. little axe. Mr Harrow then went away. The deceased continued to knock me about — I think with the crop. I was still on the floor, as I could not get up. The deceased got up after a short time and said, ' I'll settle you, you .' He then went outside, and afterwards came and looked for a gun, which, was in a bedroom, but he could not find!the cartridges. When told to find the cartridges^ I said, ' I cannot get up.' He then, went into the kitchen for the carving knife, and. having got it, sharpened it, saying, ' This is for you and me. too.' I thert scrambled otitside. Deceased then went into the washhouse and got a tin of kerosene, which he -sprinkled about the back door. He then lighted the kerosene, setting fire to the house, saying, ' I will roast you, you ' I rolled off the verandah, bufc he got hold of me by the shoulders and dragged me up. Some time after Mr Frank Lelievre came in, and then Mr Mansfield. The deceased sat down beside me and watched the fire till Mr Mansfield came. He shook hands and spoke to Mr Mansfield, afterwards going away with the knife and eteel (produced). There was no blood on them then, and there was no injury to his throat when he went away. I do not know where lie went. My daughters had gone for help. The deceased was not long on the ground, after being struck by Mr Harrow. The deceased had plenty of opportunity of carrying out his threat to kill me." Harrow and others gave -evidence- of a similar character. The verdict returned was thafc deceased committed suicide by cutting his throat.