LOVE, ATTEMPTED MURDER AND SUICIDE.

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 370, 22 May 1889, Page 5

LOVE, ATTEMPTED MURDER AND SUICIDE.

A tragedy occurred at North Carlton, Melbourne, last week. Walter Brooks, an insurance agent, had been living for some time with a Mrs Thompson, but they quarrelled, and Brooks was arrerted for trespass in the woman's son's house. He was liberated and returned to the bouse next day, but was refused admittance. He then fired two shots through the keyhole and afterwards got into the house by the back way. He seized hold of Mrs Thompson and threw her down, and holdinga revolver to her head threatened to blow her brains out. The police were alarmed at the tiring, and entered the house, whereupon the woman escaped, but before Brooks could be taken into custody he shot himself dead through the head. He left a letter behind stating that he loved the woman better than his soul and intended to murder her and then commit suicide.

The Minister for Defence in Victoria has proposed to the Cabinet that with the view of strengthening the Victorian fleet a firstclass ironclad of light draught, capable of steaming 18 or 20 knots, should be purchased in lieu of the Nelson, which has been condemned as useless by the naval commandant. The Cabinet have not yet decided whether to fall in with the suggestion or to endeavour to secure from the Imperial Government an ironclad put out ot commission on account of defective speed, to be used as a floating battery.