The Tophouse Tragedy.

Feilding Star, Volume XVI, Issue 88, 8 October 1894, Page 2

The Tophouse Tragedy.

THE DEED PREMEDITATED. THE LIVES OP THE WOMEN THREATENED. (Per Press Association.) Nelson, Oct«ber6. Bateman apparently shot Lane first and then Wallis, enticing them out of their respective bouses. He shot himself yes« terdoy afternoon. It is reported that Bateman was sober at the time of the tragedy. Bateman threatened the governess at the accommodation house on two occasions. He also threatened to shoot others. October 7. An inquest was held on Saturday night on the bodies of John Steven Lane and Wm. Henry Wallis, the verdict being that the deceased came by their death by gunshot wounds inflicted by Won. Bateman. At ihe inquest on Bateman, the verdict was that he died bj a gunshot wound inflicted by himself while of an unsound mind. Bateman left two letters, one of which expressed the intention of killing himself and in the other of killing all but the children. The funeral took place to-day and was largely attended. Wellington, October 6. A telegram received from Mr Gannaway of the telegraph department, Nelson, re the Tophouse tragedy, states that Bate man, who was temporarily in charge of the accommodation house, told Lane that Wallis wanted to see him on the Wairau road. Lane accompanied him up the road about 200 yards, and Bateman then Bbot him in tbe bead. At 8.30. p.m Bateoihn went to the Telegrnph office and invited Wallis to go hare shooting. Wullis said it was too dark, but Bateman said he knew where to tet bares, and there was sufficient moonlight to see the auimals Wallis went away with Batemen who shot him within 100 jards of the office. The murderer appears to hare taken the cover off Wallis's^pony, and placed it over his victim's body, after which hereturned to theaorommodation house, where the governess was found. The young lady went down to the office accompanied by a Utte gwl, but Batomac followed her, and made her return, threatening to shoot her unless she retraced her steps She, however, got away again, and she and Mrs Walhs locked themselves iv the office. At daylight. Bateman was seen walking up and doWn in front of the accommodation house. During the morning Mr B, Kerr, and another settler arrived on tbe scene, and went towards the accommodation hou»e, but beiug threatened they went back to the office. About 2 in the afternoon a report was heard aud it was found that Batonian had shot himself. A Ittt6r was written by Bateman on Sunday last bidding his sister farewell and it was evident that the deed was premeditated. It is thought that he was jealous of Lane, and that he killed Wullis in order to prevent the news of tho murder being wired away. There is alao reason to boheye that he contemplated killing Mrs Walhs, as someone was heard trying the doors of tbe office, Waliis was 33 years of age, and was in charge of the telegraph station and post office. He also acted as linr.repairer