A SHOCKING AFFAIR.

Hokitika Guardian, 10 September 1917, Page 1

A SHOCKING AFFAIR.

.MAN BUNS’ AMOK

[l'Klt I’KICSS ASSOCIATION. —COPYRIGHT.]

WANGANUI, September, 9

A shocking affair . occurred at Kauangaroa, near Cordell, early this morning. ITedoriek Bonnier aros,. at d.ffi). o’clock and' 1 procuring an axe, went into a back room occupied by three young men—Athol Baylor, aged 19, Henry Watson aged 19 and Nor man Young L 7. Bach had his head cut open.. Bonnier then attacked his wile and -Mrs Beckham who were sleeping in the same bed along with 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 Ids wife’s bedroom, when Bennicr struck him violently on the bead and then bolted, Beckham despite bi s injuries was able to raise the alarm and the police and a doctor wore summoned from Wanganui. f lhe police found Bonnier in a shed 200 yards away with bis throat cut. He. was still alive, as were the other victims, and bis wound was stitched. Neighbours provided motor ears and the six sufferers were taken to the hospital. All are expected to recover. Bennicr was .recently employed Jit tb( v harbor board’s quarries bis wile and four children living in the vicinity. The children some weeks ago were admitted to the hospital suffering from lever, one dying. .Mrs Bonnier then took the survivors to Kauangaroa, and declined to go back to the quarries,

; Bennicr got employment' near Kauangaroa. Me. and bis wife and the others were playing cards till midnight on Saturday and were all on good terms.