WOMAN’S DEATH

Southland Times, Issue 22096, 17 August 1933, Page 8

WOMAN’S DEATH

TERRIBLE INJURIES TRAGEDY AT AUCKLAND MAN IN SERIOUS CONDITION (Per United Press Association.) Auckland, August 16. A tragedy, the motive for which appears still to be obscure, occurred at a residence in Crummer road, Grey Lynn, about noon, when Mrs Christina Cunningham, aged 50, received injuries to her throat and head which proved fatal a little over an hour later. John Edwards, a relief worker, aged 39, was found in the house with a deep gash in his throat and with cuts in his left wrist. The discovery was made by the 22-year-old daughter of Mrs Cunningham on her return from the city, where she had been seeking work, and both victims were rushed to the Auckland Hospital. Mrs Cunningham’s injuries were so terrible that nothing could be done to save her, but an operation was performed at once on the man and he was given blood transfusion. His condition throughout the day was serious, although at a late hour he had shown an improvement and hopes are entertained for his recovery. There was nothing to indicate _to neighbours that there was anything amiss in the house, but when Joyce Cunningham returned she found her mother lying in a pool of blood on the dining-room floor in an unconscious condition and the man seated in a chair nearby with blood gushing from a terrible wound in his throat and from his left wrist. He was holding a razor in his hand, but did not move. Miss Cunningham rushed out the front door and to a residence next door. “Something dreadful has happened, she called out. Both victims were still alive. They were rushed to the hospital. ~ , Miss Cunningham said that on Tuesday night she had been to a dance and on returning she saw Edwards standing outside her home. He asked if her father were at home. . She took him inside and showed him into her father s room at the back of the house. According to information gathered by. the police, Edwards persuaded Cunningham to allow him to remain in the house for the night and he slept in a back bedroom with Cunningham. In the morning Cunningham, who is a motor mechanic, at present on relief work, was leaving for the city and took Edwards with him. They parted in Newton and it is apparent Edwards returned to the house in Crummer road, although no one saw Edwards return to the house. It is thought Mrs Cunningham was doing part of her housework at the front of the house when he came back. Members of the family had known Edwards for some years, although he was not regarded as a very close friend. He generally followed the occupation of salesman and got to know the family about six years ago through calling on them when selling tea. There are a number of details connected with the tragedy which the police have not yet cleared up to their satisfaction.