CHRISTCHURCH TRAGEDY

Hokitika Guardian, 25 November 1925, Page 1

CHRISTCHURCH TRAGEDY

EVIDENCE AT INQUEST. [by teleciraplt—per press association.] CHRISTCHURCH, November 24. The inquest on William Thomas Ray!is, victim of tho Richmond tragedy, was resumed before Air H. A. Young, District Coroner. Mr Thomas appeared for the son of the deceased, Harold William Bavlis. Harold William Bavlis, .son ol deceased, said that at about 7 a.m. on November 20, his mother brought him a cup of tea to his bedroom.. Then she went hack to the kitchenette. Witness heard his father go from the kitchenette to his bedroom, and then return to the kitchenette. A few minutes later. witness heard two reports, such ns those usaully made by the discharge ot a revolver. He rushed to the kitchenette and found his mother lying on the Hour, and found the deceased on the floor of the pantry. The deceased was bleeding about the head. AYituess’s mother said: “Your father ha.s done for me. I’m dying.” Witness asked his mother what had happened, and she replied that deceased had asked her what she wanted, and she had said that she wanted sugar, salt and a few other household requirements. He asked her to write them down on paper, and she refused to do it. She said Hint the next thing she knew wn.s receiving a. blow on the bead from deceased. Witness said be lifted bis mother up. and took her out to the hack porch. He then returned and found that the deceased bad risen from the pantry floor, and was in the kitchenette. *He bad a revolver in his hand, and witness attempted to take it from him. There was a struggle, but witness could not got possession of it. The deceased then fired at witiloss’s mother again. He could not say how many shots wore fired. A\ itness again tried to get possession of the revolver, but be could not do so. Finally he pushed ihe deceased inside the house and locked the front door, his mother and himself being on the outside. After a few minutes, witness unlocked the door and went into the house again. He found the deceased in the ball in the front of the house. He was bleeding profusely from the head and wrist. He was raving throughout. Witness made another unsuccessful attempt to get the revolver. Deceased then made for some razors on the mantelpiece of the kitchenette. Init after a lstruggle, witness got possession of them. Before witness unlocked ihe door, he attended to bis mother outside, and while he was attending.in her, he heard several shots fired inside the house. Before the doctor or police arrived, the deceased went round to the hack, having apparently gone out of the front door. He was covered with blood, and he asked what had happened. He then appeared to he calm, lie seemed surprised when witness told him what had occurred. Me watched calmly until the doctor and the police arrived. Later the dcivaseil and witness’ mother were iteiwivoi! to the hospital. To Mr Thomas;—For some days prior to the occurrence, the deceased had been in a bad nervous condition. Tho day before, lie had bad to stay from work. There was cause tor worry, and ii affected him badly. To the Coroner—The deceased bad been worrying considerably for .Hi mollj hs p.i't. and. liecauso "I bil- condition, resulting from this, he had consulted Dr Bairman. lie had never said anything about taking his lite. or the life of anyone else. Mr 0. Aloiler. House Surgeon at the Christchurch Hospital, said that Beylis was sulfering from the clients ol two bullet wounds when admitted. It was an injury to the brain resulting from these wounds that caused death. Bavlis did not make any statement as to how he came by I he wounds. Dr Bairman said that he had al tended Bavlis. On the morning ot November 201 It, lie was called io Balls’ house at about 7..‘50. Airs Bavlis was lying on the steps a I the. hack door. She wals bleeding from a bullet wound in the head. There were also signs of a wound in the upper part of the chest. Then witness saw Bavlis walking up and down in a very excited manlier, and bleeding a good deal, especially from Hie left wrist, the wound in which he admitted making with a pair

of scissors. There was a wound on lbright side of his head, which was bleeding slightly. Ilaylis seemed to he somewhat dazed. Ho seemed very concerned about his wife. Witness ordered the removal of both to the hospital. Witness saw Baylis later at the hospital. When witnrfcs told him his wile would probably got over it, lie said. “Thank Cod!” Yet he did not seem to he able to remember what lie had done, lie could not remember the actual doing of it. Ilaylis admitted thol lie had shot his wife, and that lie had inflicted the wounds on hiinsell. AA'•> noss had seen Baylis twice in October. On bolh occasions he was in a very nervous condition, hut. perfectly rational. He had gone in the first instance to consult witness about his domestic affairs. It. seemed that there was

somebody philandering with his wile. The Coroner: “ AYhat do you call it?” Witness: •• Philandering—that is putting it mildly.’ Witness said Baylis said he had ordered the man out of his house, hut !, e persisted in his attentions to his wife. A good deal more was said of happenings that shocked his sense <>l propriety. Baylis said lie could not sleep, and lie seemed to he on the verge of a breakdown. A\ itness considered that Baylis’ mind was quite unhinged when he committed the act. Constable McLeod said that Baylis find asked witness to keep the matter quiet, as lie and his wife had been quarrelling over a man. Baylis said that he had fired high to frighten his wife. The Coroner found that the deceased died on November 21st from the effects of a bullet wound, self-inflicted, while insane.