A WAITARA TRAGEDY.

Patea Mail, Volume XXIX, 16 December 1908, Page 2

A WAITARA TRAGEDY.

A. Doctor Shoots a Woman. Then Threatens a Man. Waitara, December 14. The town was startled; this afternoon by the news of a tragedy. News of it came out by Mrs Goode, wife of Dr. Goode, rushing across to Mrs Clare’s house, near by, stating that the doctor had shot Mrs Klenner. The borough workmen, the Rev. J. B. Broeklehurst, and Cl iff Tate were near by. The first named wont to the police station, and the two latter went over and tried to go into Dr. Goode’s house. Jest as Cliff Tate entered the small gate Dr. Goode came to the French casement and threatened that he would shoot him if he did not clear out. Messrs J. Morrison and Trim, who by this time had got back from the Police Station, then saw Dr. Goode come to the window, and it seemed there was much blood on his shirt front. He then looked all the windews. Mrs Clare went to the assistance of Mrs Klenner, and found her in her sittingroom in a state of collapse. After telegraphing for a doctor Olaridge being absent ia Urenui), stable Price saw that Mrs Klenner was made as comfortable as possible, and he then sought the services of two Justices to take,the depositions of Mrs Klenner. Mrs Kleuner’s depositions, sworn before Messrs Cameron anji Jenkins, J.P,’«, and the signature witnessed by the Eev. J. B. Brocklehnrst, were as follows : “ I. Mary Ellen Klenner, wife of Alois Klenner, depose that on Monday,' the 14th Deccember, Dr. Goode came ,* to my front door. I cautiously opened the door, not knowing who was there. Dri Goode came in and called me to him in the front room. He then locked’ the - ! room door. He said, ‘ Sit down ; I want to speak to you.’ and he wanted me to give him myself. I answered him ‘No.’ I then tried to go out of the room, but he jumped up and locked the door, and said, .■ ‘You won’t,’ and then he shot me. He fired at me;twice. There was another shot fired. He said, ‘ Are you dead?* but I did not reply. He .then tried to reload his revolver. He could not, and - then he said be would go home and have some whisky-and then do for himself. This occurred about 3.30 this afternoon,. . For the information of people living •?. outside Waitara it may be explained that Mrs Klenner’s house is next doer to Dr. Goode’s. The unfortunate woman, who is in a very low state, has been removed to the New Plymouth Hospital. Two of tbdp bullets were located, but', the doctorp - deemed it advisable to operate at the Hospital. No attempt was made to effect an arrest / until 7 o’clock, when Constables Melvpr and Price, with a number cf volunteers, , broke into, the doctor’s house, the former closing with the doctor, who had just risen from a sofa. The prisoner was removed to a police cell, aud will be seat to New Plymouth in the morning. A Plucky Policeman. New Plymouth, December 14Dr. Goode was brought into town tonight and lodged in the cells. He apparently has no knowledge of the occurrence, and is railing bitterly against the police for entering his house and arresting him. His victim has been operated on, and one bullet has been extracted, but; the operation is not completed, There ara hopes for her recovery. Goode’s arrest was tbo subject of considerable excitement in Waitsra. After the crime Dr. Goode locked himself in his bouse, which no one dared enter until Mounted Constable Mclvor arrived from . New Plymouth about 6.30, and im- , mediately organised an assault on the several doors of the residence, he bimsslf bursting in the surgery door. Goode, with a revolver, came to’ meet him. Mclvor threw himself on the prisoner, and bore him to the floor, where ’ ; he was secured with assistance, and » revolver, loaded in five chambers was . wrenched from him. An incensed crowd attempted to assault him, but desisted after raining a few . blows, which mostly took effect on the constable. The prisoner is a very powerful man of about I7st in weight and over 6ft high. New Plymouth, December 15. This morning Dr. Goode, the perpetrator of the Waiters shooting assault was more calm and self-possessed! Prior to being formally told o4*Kbft > charge, he expressed ignorance yff the causes leading to his being locked up, and, when charged ia his cell, he made no reply, beyond expressing a wish to see his solicitor. Later ia the morning, Goods was brought before Mr H. S. Fitzherbert, S.M., and formally charged with haying attempted to murder Mrs Klenner, Accused was attended in the dock by two. constables. T i After the charge had been read out r > the Court adjourned to the hospital, where Mrs Klenner’s depositions were taken. Accused was then remanded until Wednesday, the 2nd Inst. Mrs. Klenne was stiU in a very bad condition. She rallied a little from the shock, but the outlook is decidedly unfavorable. The bullets have probablylodged near the spinal vertebrae affecting the spinal nerves and the left atm is paralysed. The brain, however, is uninjured, and her mental condition is so far unimpaired. The chief dangers come from inflammation and interference with respiration, on account of the windpipe being pierced, aud there is also great trouble ia feeding the patient, '.owing to the injury to the gullet.