SHOOTING SENSATION.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 107, 11 June 1914, Page 10

SHOOTING SENSATION.

A MYSTERIOUS TRAGEDY. ATTEMPTED MURDER AND SUICIDE. Fress Association. GREYMOUTH, June 11. A sensation was caused this afternoon when a young man named Charles Hutchinson, a veterinary surgeon, went to the Post Office Hotel to see a young lady who was recently employed there and who was a shipmate of Hutehrn-" son 's from .England. Seemingly his visit was unwelcome, and he was told the girl had gone out, but he waited about and, eventually seeing the girl, caught hold of her and 1 , dragged her into the washhouse. A member of the hotel staff - heard her screams, and rushing in beheld an astounding spectacle. The girl had the man clasped by the wrists, and in one hand he held a revolver.

Hutchinson wrenched his right hand free, and levelled the revolver at the girl and fired, but his shot missed. The hotel assistant seized the girl and got her away, but in so dOj.ng he narrowly escaped instant death, having ducked his head just in time to miss a second bullet. The girl Was* carried to safety. Hutchison then turned the» revolver on himself. Placing it On his left temple, he.fired, and fell bleeding copiously in a state of collapse. He was immediately conveyed to the hospital, where he subsequently died.