TRAGIC AFFAIR NEAR WANGANUI

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3186, 10 September 1917, Page 6

TRAGIC AFFAIR NEAR WANGANUI

MAN RUNS AMUCK WITH AN AXE SIX PERSONS INJURED By Telegraph—Press Association. Wanganui, September 9. A shocking affair happened <it Kauangaroa, near Fordell, early this r.oruiilg. Frederick Bennier arose at il.3i), ami procuring an axq went into a back room, occupied by' three young men—Athol Bayler (aged 19), Henry Waison (aged 19), and S'orman Young (aged *7). Each of the young men had his liead rat open. Bonnier then attacked iiis wife and Mrs. Beckham, who were sleeping in the same bed along ivith an infant. The child was not touched, but each of the women got a terrible cut in the head.

Albert Beckham, hearing the noise, entered'' his wife's bedroom, when Bennier struck him violently on the head, and then bolted.

Beckham, despite his injuries, was able to raise an alarm, and the police and ,a doctor were summoned from Wanganui.

The police found Bennier iu a shed 250 yards away with his. throat cut. He was still alive, as were the other victims, and his wound was stitched up.

Neighbours provided motor-cars, and the six sufferers were taken to the hospital. All are expected to recover.

Bennier was recently employed at the Harbour Board quarries, his wife and four children living in the vicinity. The ckildrfn were some weeks ago admitted to the hospital, suffering from fever, one dying. Mrs. Bennier then took the 6urvivors to Ifauangaroa, and declined to go back to the quarries, whereupon Bennier got employment near Kauangaroa. He and his wife and others were playing cards till midnight on Saturday, and all were on good terms.