AN EXCITING OCCURRENCE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5777, 22 January 1897, Page 3

AN EXCITING OCCURRENCE.

A REJECTED LOVER'S REVENGE. [Per Press Association.! AUCKLAND, Jan. 21. An exciting occurrence startled Paeroa yesterday afternoon. So far as is known a man and woman, stated to be a newlymp.rried couple, arrived there from Auckland a couple of days ago, and shortly there came upon thescene anotlierman, wlio, it is said, had been previously acquainted with th c lady in Australia. On his arrival lie found the party, and it is alleged he shook hands with the lady* and then with the gentleman, also that, whilst holding the gentleman's right hand, he drew a bottle of acid from his pocket and threw the contents over the face and clothes of the other man. The latter is badly burnt about the face, and large holes were burnt in his clothes. The man who is alleged to have committed the assault left for Auckland. On the arrival of Constable Beatty by steamer this afternoon, an information was laid against a man named Carroll in connection with the above oceunence, and a warrant issued for his arrest. 'Ihe man injured is named Robert Jackson. Later. Further particulars show that tho episode borders on, the romantic. The affair occurred at the Royal Mail Hotel, Jackson being the name of the man severely burned. A young woman, it " appears, became engaged to a man named Carroll at Sydney, nut the engagement was broken off, and the young lady left Sydney for Auckland, where, after a time, she made the acquaintance of Jackson. The friendship deepened into love, and they agreed to get married. In the meantime, however, the rejected lover appeared on the scene, and having, it is alleged, made certain threats, Jackson and his intended wife went to Paeroa to get married quietly, and without any interference on the part of Carroll. The latter followed them up, and last night met the two in a room at Crosby's Hotel, where, after using violent language, he threw a bottle of sulphuric acid at his rival. Luckily, Jackson stooped, and the contents of the bottle, instead of going on his face fell upon his forehead instead, though: one drop touched his eyelid a,nd inflicted a nasty burn. His forehead suffered most,, and a severe scar is left. Jackson, it is considered, will be disfigured for life. Carroll has left Auckland, and has not yet been captured. He is supposed to have gone south to-day. The acid was exceedingly strong, so much so that the wall-paper on which a quantity fell was burned through. Had Jackson received the full force of the acid in .his face it is believed that he would have been blinded for life. Despite the pain he suffered Jackson was married this afternoon.