DAUGHTER’S DISCOVERY

Taranaki Daily News, 17 August 1933, Page 7

DAUGHTER’S DISCOVERY

MOTHER FOUND INJURED

"LYING IN POOL OF BLOOD.”

DIES IN HOSPITAL LATER. z INJURED MAN ALSO ADMITTED. By Telegraph—Press Association. Auckland, Last Night. A tragedy, the motive for which appears still to be obscure, occurred at a residence in Crummer Road, Grey Lynn, about noon to-day, when Mrs. Christina Cunningham, aged 50, received injuries to the 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 the 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 diningroom floor in an unconscious condition, and the man Edwards seated on a chair nearby with blood gushing from a terrible wound in his throat and from his left Wrist. He was said to be holding a razor in his hand, but he did not move. Miss Cunningham rushed out of the front door and to the residence next door. “Something dreadful has happened,” she called out. Both victims were still alive and 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 the 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 that 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. The members of the family had known Edwards for some years, although he was not rgarded as a very close friend. He generally followed the occupation of a salesman and got to know the family about six years ago through calling on them when selling tea. There is a number of details connected with the tragedy which the police have not yet cleared up to their satisfaction.