DREADFUL TRAGEDY IN OTAGO.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 7992, 10 October 1887, Page 3

DREADFUL TRAGEDY IN OTAGO.

MAN ATTEMPTS TO MURDER HIS WIFE. HE AFTERWARDS COMMITS SUICIDE. [PEK PRESS ASSOCIATION.] Dunedin, October 10. — A shocking tragedy occurred nt Leith Valley on Sunday afternoon. Edward Loft, the proprietor of a large workshop, his wife, and niece were visiting some property near the waterworks, when Mrs. Loft made some remark to her husband about his drinking 1 again. Loft, who seems to have been drinking heavily of late, immediately palled a sixchambered )evolver out of his pocket and fired at his wife. The first shot struck some steel in her stays and glanced off, but the second went through her left lung and out at her baok. In putting up her arms to defend herself, Mrs. Loft was struck by bullets on her thumb and forefinger, which are shattered. The niece, Miss Bnry, a girl 17 years of age, interfered, and Loft seized her and tried to throttle her; but she and Mrs. Loft got away, and took shelter in Reynolds' house. They sent for assistance, and Loft remained outside, making no further attempt to do barm. On two constables arriving, they went in search of Loft, and when they got within fifty yards of him be put the pistol to his month and fired. Death was almost instantaneous. Mrs. Loft was removed to her home, but through she may live two or three days, she is not expected to recover. 'JLhe niece, Miss Bury, is in no way injured, so far as is known. The parties were on good terms, and with the exception of the remark about drinking, there was no cause for the action of Loft, who is believed to have been suffering from delirium tremens.