FURTHER DETAILS

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLX, Issue 22028, 30 July 1941, Page 7

FURTHER DETAILS

The Auckland Tragedy

Inquest Adjourned

(P.A.) AUCKLAND, July 29. An inquest was opened before the Coroner, Mr F. K. Hunt, this morning, concerning the death of Valentine Kenneth Walter Rolfe, a carpenter, aged 36, who was found shot hr the Cecil Private Hotel hi the city yesterday afternoon. His wife, Kathleen Josephine Rolfe, aged 36, who was found with a bullet hi the back, is in the Auckland Hospital in a serious condition.

Evidence of identification was given at the Inquest by Cleveland Rolfe, a carpenter, who resides at the Cecil Private Hotel. The inqdtat was adjourned sine die. Valentine Rolfe resided in New North Road, Kingsland. He was married in February, 1940, but after three months together the couple separated. In October, 1940, Mrs Rolfe obtained a separation and maintenance order. Rolfe was in arrears of maintenance to the extent of £36 to July last. On Thursday

a summons was issued for disobedience of the order, the hearing being fixed for August 5. Rolfe was to have appeared with his wife yesterday before a conciliator. Mrs Rolfe appeared but Rolfe did not appear. Mrs Rolfe, who has a son aged 13 by a former marriage, resided in a room in Vincent Street, and the son lived in the Cecil Private Hotel with his aunts and grandmother, Mrs Rolfe paying for her son’s keep. Rolfe called twice yesterday afternoon and was told his wife was not at the hotel. As he was leaving he saw her returning from work. They went upstairs together and entered a sitting room on the first floor.

Mrs McGrath, sister of Mrs Rolfe, told the police that on hearing two shots and her sister's screams she rushed Into the room. Her sister was lying on her back with her head toward the window and her feet towards the door and was writhing and screaming. Rolfs was on the floor in a sitting position. His back was against an arm chair and his head was thrown back. Blood was issuing from his mouth. Her sister said before losing consciousness, ‘‘he has shot me in the heart.” While Mrs McGrath was using the telephone to call the doctor and police, she saw blood rush from Rolfe’s mouth and he apparently died at that moment. A doctor arrived within a few minutes and found a bullet wound near Rolfe’s left eye. A revolver was close to the body and there were four spent cartridges in the room. A hospital examination revealed that the wife had a bullet wound in the back of her left shoulder. There was no exit wound.