AWFUL TRAGEDY

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVII, 10 December 1927, Page 5

AWFUL TRAGEDY

WIFE MURDER AND SUICIDE A BRUTAL ATTACK. PAPANUI SCHOOLMASTER'S CRIME. (Per Press Association). Christchurch, Dec. 10. A double tragedy occurred at Godley avenue, Papanui, early this morning. William Alexander Foster, aged 37, using an axe, killed his wife Olive, aged 32, in bed and then drowned himself in the bath He left a note in the milk billy, which read: “For God’s sake send the police immediately,” There are five children ranging from eight years old to two. Foster was first assistant master at Papanui School and had worked for a time in Samoa. He was married in England. Foster’s body was found in the bath. He was dressed in trousers and a shirt and was in a crouching position with a three-legged boot-last on his head, which was under water. Propped against the wall of the bathroom was an axe, its blade covered with blood. It was with this that Foster had brutally attacked his wife. HAD NOT ENJOYED GOOD HEALTH. Foster had not enjoyed good health for some time past and was understood to be suffering from the results of gassing at the war. Not long ago he was involved in a motor collision which resulted in considerable expense to him. Foster took a very active part in the Boy Scout movement shortly after it was inaugurated in Christchurch. He was a very popular master at school, both amongst the staff and the pupils. INQUEST OPENED, The inquest was opened before Mr. H. A. Young. S.M., when, after evidence of identification, the proceedings were adjourned until Tuesday. Archibald Campbell, of Fendalton, gave evidence of identification in respect to Foster’s body. Witness was a brother-in-law of Foster’s. He last saw Foster about three weeks ago whe n he seemed to be all right. As far as witness knew Foster and bls wife lived on good terms and they seemed bright and cheerful.

ANOTHER IN CALIFORNIA

MAN SHOOTS HIS SONS-

(Received 10, 8.30 a.m.) New York, Dec. 9. 4. triple tragedy has been reported from Pasadena, California. Francis Stevens, a lawyer and bank director, started from that town in a motor car with his son, aged 13, to visit an elder son, aged 20, who was a patient in a suburban sanatorium. When the father arrived he called his son from a game of tennis and shot him dead and then shot himself dead.

Stevens’ wife ai riving at the institution shortly after found the younger son shot dead in the car. The motive of the tragedy is unknown. Stevens left a will disposing of his estate, valued at £35,000. —(A. and N.Z.)