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Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2015, 26 February 1907, Page 4

TRAGEDY IN SYDNEY. MURDER AND SUICIDE BY A NEW ZEALANDER, A shocking tragedy, the result of unhappy domestic relations, occurred at St. Peter’s, Sydney, on Thursday of last week, when Henry Albert Medhurst, GO years of age, was shot by Samuel Joseph Leith, who almost immediately put the revolver to his head and blew his brains out. In Mcdhnrst’s case death was almost instantaneous, hut Leith lingered for a little while, and died shortly after medical aid arrived. It appears that Leith was about 45 years of age, a laborer by occupation, and a native of New Zealand. He had been married about three years, hut his wife, Annie Leith, states they had only lived with one another for about a month, and she had never had any support from her husband. For some time past Airs. Leith had been residing with her mother and sister at 37 Yelverton street, &t. Peters, Medlmrst also being a lodger there. Modliurst’s presence in tho house had evidently caused Leith to become jealous. Tlie latter had recently paid a couple of visits to the house, anil on Tuesday afternoon he was there when his wife came home, and after some ' conversation Mrs. Leith ordered him to leave the house, as ho had already made enough mischief. Shortly before eight o clock on Thursday night Mrs. Leith came home and saw her husband at. the gate. He knocked at the door, which was opened hy Airs. Johnson, the mother of Loitli. Leith asked if Aledlnirst was in, anil Airs. Johnson replied that lie was having tea, and invited her son-in-law inside. Aledlnirst then camo to tho door, and Leith went with him into tho former’s bedroom. After some talk Leith accused Aledlnirst of having taken his place in tlie house. Medlmrst replied, “Say that again and I will knock you down. My good name is everything, and you will have to prove what you say.” In the meantime Airs. Leith had come into the room, and her husband asked ALedliurst to come outside. Aledlnirst declined, and told Leith if ho had anything to say to say it there. Leith tiien drew a revolver from tlie inside of his coat anil fired, tlie bullet striking Aledlnirst in tho right breast. He fell on tho bed and died almost immediately, As soon as slio saw what hail Imp* pencil Airs. Leith made a rush at her husband, and-tried to wrest the weapon from him. In this she was unsuccessful, and Leith, shaking himself clear of her, placed the revolver to liis temple and fired. Constable Regan, who lives in tho street where the tragedy occurred, was made acquainted with what had taken placo, and discovered a revolver, a five-chambered one, still grasped in Leith’s right hand. It was fully loaded in three chambers, and contained two empty shells. In the meantime Dr. Perkins had been summoned, but both men were past human aid. After entering Aledhurst’s body the bullet seemed to have travelled along the chest towards his left side. Tho bullet which killed Leith went right through his head, and was subsequently found by Constable Regan. Airs! Leith had boon previously married. Aledlnirst, it is stated, was employed at the Reilfern bowling green. Both bodies wore left at the house for the night, awaiting instructions from the Coroner.