SYDNEY TRAGEDY

Otago Witness, Issue 3514, 19 July 1921, Page 15

SYDNEY TRAGEDY

SOCIETY WOMAN'S DEATH

SYDNEY, July 17. The inquest concerning the death of Airs Lippe, whose mangled body was recently found at the foot of the South Head Gan, disclosed remarkable features. The evidence showed that deceased was a Victorian society woman who was separated from her husband, the latter being described a 3 a New Zealand guide living in the dominion. The deceased left a will devising property, valued at £IO,OOO, to a young man named Alalister Smith, with whom she had associated in tho musical world, and who sometimes stayed at her house. The evidence of a lady companion of Airs Lippe alleged that the two women were kept in a state of terror bv Smith’s allegations that Roman Catholics and Sinn Feiners were after them, and had a machine gun and other arms hidden about the house preparatory to attacking it oil a »iven date. Prior to this date Smith induced the women to flee to Sydney. Airs Lippe left a letter for Smith stating that she had decided to end it all, adding that happiness would come to her on the other side, where she would wait for him. Smith denied the allegations about orrorising the women. He said that he vied to reason with AL's Linpe in regard to her ideas about Roman Catholics and Sinn Feiners, but found she would not listen, so he took the line of least resistance and agreed with her. Ho denied having played''on her feelings or having suggested that she should commit suicide. Smith admitted having received considerable sums of money from her. The Coroner, in returning a verdict of suicide, added that Smith’s association with ALs Lippe undoubtedly acted as an unwholesome influence on her mind.