"UTTERLY STRANDED."

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7568, 28 November 1902, Page 2

"UTTERLY STRANDED."

BARRISTER AND SHOP GIRL.

A STORY OF FRIENDLESS

LOVERS.

The sad story told by Mr Edward Peter Shott, a barrister, aged thirty-two, and 01i\*e Doggett, twenty-one, Avhen they were charged at Westminster Police Court, London, with attempting to commit suicide by taking pills containing morphia, has attracted considerable attention.

Mr Shott told the officer who arrested them at tlieir lodgings in .Crozier Street, Lambeth, that they were "utterly stranded," and had therefore resolved to> die together. At the police court he said that he was ' formerly acting registrar at the British Consular Court in Constantinople, but had now "no friends in the world."

As the result of inquiries made during tibia remand Mr Barnett, the Court Missionary, informed the Magistrate that Mr Shott had had a very distinguished university career, taking a " double first " at Cambridge, c-f which university he is a B.A. and LL.B. Until recently he was an Army "coach" at an academy at Richmond, and while living in that toAvn made the acquaintance of Miss Doggett, who .had for some years been- employed in a local tobacconist's shop.

FORTY MORPHIA PILLS,

The barrister fell in love with the young woman, and Avhen during the past summer it happened that they were taking their holidays at the same time they agreed to spend them together. They went to the seaside, and afterwards travelled on the Continent, with the result that Miss Doggett outstayed, her leave, and learnt that her situation, had been filled up. Then the fact of Mr Shott's acquaintance with the girl came to the ears -of his employers, and he was obliged to resign his position. Temporary lodgings Avere taken in Crozier Street, but both being at the end of their resources, and Avithout prospect of employment, they took forty morphia pills between them in order to end their existence. Mr Barnett added that the girl had bornean exemplary character, and a lady had offered to befriend her. A friend of Mr Shott had also come forward. Mr Sheil, the Magistrate, said that he understood that a gentleman had written offering^to help Mr Shott.

Mr Shott said that was so Mr Shiel: "Very Avail 1 , I will accept their recognisances in £5 to come up for judgment if called upon. 1 ' Later in the- day Miss Doggett, who looked pale and ill, was handed over to her father pending the completion of arrangements to send her to a home in the country offered by the lady referred to.