THE PIRINOA TRAGEDY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 4938, 30 April 1894, Page 3

THE PIRINOA TRAGEDY.

Inquest on Edmonds. The Wife's Statement. [Pbb Pbess Association.] WELLINGTON, Apeil 30. At the inquest on Herbeit Edmonds, a verdict of temporary insanity was returned. The evidence of Mr and Mrs Wood, with whom deceased and wife lived, at Pirinoa, showed that Esmonds blew out his brains on Friday morning before seven o'clock. He seemed very jealous, and had been heard apparently upbraiding his wife. Mrs Edmonds said that her husband was of a peculiar temperament, and on one j occasion, before marriage, had taken out j a revolver and threatened to shoot her if she didn't marry him. In fear she promised to marry him, but did not mean it seriously. He arranged the date of the marriage without consulting her, postponed it for two successive days, and finally, though she felt she di'ln'fc care for him, he persuaded her to go to church . There she refused to marry him, but on seeing him later, he went on so that she agreed to see the minister, and, without knowiDg how it happened, was married next day, none of her psople being present. She had lived with her husband since, except for a fortnight when she went to Wellington on account of her father's illness. They had lived happily, but deceased seemed very jealous, and at the same time fond of her. On Thursday evening he acted strangely and restlessly, and took down a gun which he said he had oiled for more purposes than one. He had frightened her with this gun before. About 3 a.m. she woke up and found him standing by the bedside, with the gun loaded, and looking Btrange. He said " Let us both die ; prepare yourself for death." She got the gun away from bim and took the cartridges out. In the morning he seemed quite rational, but after getting up he kissed her and the rings on her finger, and then left the room. Shortly afterwards she heard the fatal abot.