A FATAL END TO A RUNAWAY MATCH.

Inangahua Times, Volume IX, Issue 1415, 11 July 1884, Page 2

A FATAL END TO A RUNAWAY MATCH.

A dreadful tragedy, with which a New Zealand barrister named Shortland appears to be mysteriously associated, has just taken place at Blackauton, near Dartmouth, Devonshire. It seems this gentleman returned comparatively recently from the Colony and commenced paying his addresses to the daughter of Mr W. V f Dimes, of Oldstone House, near Blackauton. The lady fell in love with S'hortland, but her family opposed the match, and eventually the paheloped and were married at a registry office. The husband brought his bride bapV to the family residence! and two dajfoaftrtrwards he left with the inten-tioitf-'of proceeding to New Zealand, where his parents and friends reside,

and where he was said to have,practised at the bar ; his statement being: that his presence there was necessary to settle up affairs, and that he would return as soon as possible. Nothing unusual occurred after the departure of the husband. Mrs Shortland was very fond of riding, and continued her pursuits in the same way as before she was married. One afternoon she whistled to the colic dog and walked down the garden towards- the ponds,, as she frequently did. She did not return, however, and in the evening her mother (Mrs Dimes) went to the ponds, but not seeing, hei made no further search. This she explained by stating that she thought the girl had joined her husband, who had! delayed his journey abroad. Next morning the body of the young lady was found standing upright in one of the- thrco ponds, her head being a few feet below the surface. No suggestion is made that the newly-niarried-couple were other than most affectionate, and it appears the wife was uot unwilling that her husband s'lould leave her for a time to make his New Zealand visit. The morning after the sad occu. ranee a letter f.oin Air Shoitland, dated Brindisi, arrived. He said : " 1 an* hurrying on at the fastest rate, and shall booh be home again." The appearance of the dece.tsdd gives no clue as to the manner of hsr drowiug — in* fact, the whole affair is wrapt in mystery. At the inquest last Thursday the jury returned, an open verdict.