THE SHANNON TRAGEDY.

Timaru Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 11592, 30 October 1901, Page 3

THE SHANNON TRAGEDY.

ATTEMPTED MURDER AND SUICIDE.

Per Press Association.

PALMERSTON, October 29. News Tfiached Palmerston North ithis morning that an elderly man named George Hobbs, living at Shannon, ?shot himself through the heart with a revolver, after firing t&ree shots at his adopted daughter, Ethel Cameron. The latter, aged about 20, was hit in each wrist and in the abdomen. She was brought to the PaJmerston hospital, but it is feared that the wounds will prove fatal. Hobbs was the proprietor of coaches running between Foxton and Shannon, and the girl, it is believed, was engaged to his driver. No reason is assigned for Hobbs' action. Further particulars show that the young woman was an adopted daughter of Ho'fefca, her name being Ethel Cameron. For some time past she has been staying with . a stepson of deceased, a baker named Coyle, -at Shannon. Deceased was in Palmerston yesterday, and it is stated purchased a re- , volver. He returned by the evening's' train to Shannon, having tea on the dining car, when he appeared to be in his normal ' spirits. It is stated that a quarrel took ; jfiace between the man and the girl when they met last evening, but- that the shoot- , ing did not take place till after 7 o'clock this morning, when the man went to his stepson's house, produced the revolver and began firing at Miss Cameron, the -shots taking effect in her arms, right hand and side. Deceased then, without hesitating, turned the weapon on himself and fired, the bullet going through his heart, and killing him instantly. Ethel Cameron was brought to Palmer- I ston by this morning's train, and taken to I the hospital. She is in a critical state.