DOMESTIC TRAGEDY

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLVIII, Issue 21784, 14 October 1940, Page 3

DOMESTIC TRAGEDY

SHAREMILKER’S DEATH By Telegraph—Press Association PALMERSTON N., October 12. Police are investigating a tragedy in a house at Taikorea last night when, after being summoned there, they found Hugh McDowell, aged 65, a sharemilker, dead in bed. A daughter, May McDowell, aged 27. the victim of an earlier assault, had been admitted to the hospital meanwhile with a wound in the lower part of her face. Her condition is not serious. About 10 o'clock last night, the police at Palmerston North received information that a tragedy had occurred, and Detective Long was sent to investigate, being joined by Constable Eade, of Rongotea. When the police party arrived at the house, Hugh McDowell was found dead in bed. He had a slight superficial wound on a cheek, but otherwise the cause of death was obscure. McDowell lived with his familv of three, being engaged in share-milking. Reports to the police indicate that between 7 and 8 o’clock a quarrel took place between McDowell and his daughter May. A farm hand, James Kinnis, who was sleeping in an adjoining room, in a statement to the police, said that he woke up and found May McDowell and her father engaged in a struggle. The father had a razor in his hand and was threatening “to finish” his daughter. Kinnis went to the youn" woman’s assistance and took the razor from the father. Apoarently the assault on the girl had taken place before Kinnis removed the razor. Others of the family went to a neighbour’s house and a telephone message was sent to Constable Eade.