DOUBLE TRAGEDY

Hokitika Guardian, 13 December 1927, Page 3

DOUBLE TRAGEDY

MURDER, AND SUICIDE. CHRISTCHURCH, Dec. M>! “For God’s sake send for the police immediately.” This was the desperate appeal, written on a scrap of paper and left on the hilly, which introduced a milkman named Eraser to a dreadful tragedy at the pretty little bungalow residence of William Alexander Foster, assistant master at the Papanui school, at 31 Godley avenue,

Northcote, I’apanui. a little after G a.m. on Saturday. Realising there was something amiss the milkman, finding the doors open, entered the house, to realise that his fears were only too well grounded, for a. gruesome sight awaited him in Foster’s bedroom, which is at the back of the house. Airs Foster lay on (lie bed. face downwards and arms outstretched. with the back of her head, which lay on a pillow, gashed almost in two by a frightful blow from an axe. Fraser concluded at once that she had been murdered in her sleep, there being no evidence of a struggle or that the unfortunate woman had been conscious of tTie approach of tiir murderer. Tn its descent the axe had struck her skull high, cleaving a boudoir cap which slip wore. Along the floor on one side of the bed blood, which drenched pillows and bedding, had formed into a pool. The woman’s shoulders were covered by some of the (bedclothes. The discoverer of the tragedy rushed to the neighbours, reporting it to Air and Mrs F. "Woodham, whose house is not ten yards away from that of the

Fosters’. They went over at once, their son Albert accompanying them, and Fraser left to advise Constable R. Miller, the Papanui Police Officer. IN THE BATHROOM. Tn Foster’s house the AYoodhams soon came upon evidence of a second tragedy, the son finding Foster’s body in the hath. He wore shirt, trousers, and socks, and lay face downwards ill the water, which nearly filled the hath, his hotly being in a- crouching posture. Tied to the neck was a heavy threelegged boot-last. Although the weight kept the head under water, it was evident that Foster’s death could not have been brought about without the desperate resolve of a suicide. His false teeth were found in the hath. In tiie bathroom, too. the A)oodlianis found, propped against the wall, the instrument used to murder Mrs Foster. a three-quarter axe from which Foster had endeavoured, with only partial success to remove the evidence of his dreadful act. Perhaps Foster had conceived an alternative means of ending his life or that of his wife, for a half-opened razor was lying not far from tho axe. The Wood ha ms called in Mr Arthur Pateman, who lives across Godley avenue and had known the Fosters intimately for about three years. In describing the scene lie said that several letters lay on the arm ot a chair. These, it was subsequently discovered, were addressed to Foster’s mother,, Detect, J B. Young. Mr J. J. Hall. Mr Gates (headmaster of the I’apanui school), and others. They were m Fostei s handwriting, as was the note on the milk hilly, and supply undoubted c\ - deuce that lie premeditated the crime. It has since been ascertained that the letter to Air Hall, tie contents of which he was not prepared to divulge, contained an oxpressmn o thanks to him and Air L. Gibbs im tiieir friendship, but made no once to the cause of the tragedy. intention EXPRESSED As showing that the crime was premeditated. the intention is the letter to Detective-Sergeant V Thlf most pathetic aspect of the tragedy is that through it the Fosters little children are left parentless. The ages range from eight years to m In order of age their names are, Ha/cl. Cvril. John, Joyce, and Bobby. Ihe were given breakfast by the Moodhams, aiul had no realisation of the terrible misfortune that had he! alien them. Foster’s mother and bis .sister, Airs Evans, later took care of them. Airs Foster, whose age was 31 years, was of small stature. She was known to he a devoted mother. She was married to Foster when the latter was on the Afedical Staff of the Now Zealand Expeditionary Forces in London during the war, and was an only child. Airs Foster was a woman of culture and considerable attainments, and was w . (! || respected by those who knew her. The Fosters bad two children when they came to New Zealand after the war.

Foster "as 3G years of age. I'roin 19(!8 to' MHO lie was a pupil teacher at’ the liinwnod School, and then be was at the Training College until 1012. Obtaining a position as assistant master at the Timarii Alain School, he remained there until -May. 1014. Ills next appointment was to fhni.il erlam, South Canterbury. AVAR SERVICE.

In August, 1915. ho joined the Expeditionary Fortes. While on active service he was gassed. lie was made a Sergeant-Major in the Medical Corps, spending a good deal of his service m London. Foster returned to Urn Dominion in 1919 and taught at the f-rey-mouth School for a time. He was appointed to the staff of the Hampstead School in December, 1919. giving up that position in March. 1921, to takeup teaching in Samoa, where he was stationed at Apia and Malifa. lie returned to New Zealand in 1925. and, after n short spell of relieving work in Taranaki, commenced duties as assistant master at the Papanui School on Jillv l,st. 1925. INQUEST OPENED.

After receiving the bodies at the Hospital Morgue on Saturday, Air H. A. Young. Coroner, heard evidence of identification. Foster’s mother was present at the Hospital but was not called. Sergeant Hylaml represented the police. Archibald Campbell, of 30. Strowan Road. Fendalton. brother-in-law of Foster, identified the latter’s body. The Coroner: Do you know anything about the state of his mind?—No, he and liis wife were apparently all right. There was nothing wrong that T know of. The last time I saw him was about three weeks ago, and he was apparently all right then. They were always bright and cheerful. Sergeant Hyland: So far as you know they lived on good terms'—Oh yes. It seemed so the last time T saw them. Campbell also gave evidence of identification of Olive Foster. He was married to Foster’s sister and did not know much about Mrs Foster. Sergeant Hvland said that was all the evidence lie proposed to call that day. ns the police had had very little time in which to make enquiries. There were different people to whom Foster had written and from whom lie must obtain particulars. The Coroner adjourned the hearing until 9.30 n.m. to-morrow.

THE INQUEST. nv TEr.F.cn ‘pit—press assn., copyrtuth CHRISTCHURCH. Dec. 13. At the inquest on William Foster. 3fi. a school teacher, and wife. Olive Foster. aged 31. Coroner H. A. Young returned a verdict of murder and suicide. John James Hall, a neighbour, said

that Foster on Friday evening appeared glcomy. They had not discussed the charge that was levelled against him. He was of a highly strung temperament. Detective Scrgt. Young said he had been investigating charges of indecent assault against Foster, but at the time of the tragedy had not decided whether to go on with them. In a letter to Detective Scrgt. Young Foster wrote: “I've saved you a bit of unsavoury work old man. There will be no need of a warrant, and you knew T was guilty, but you bad only a very small corner of the case. The more you dug, the more you would have found. So cease fire. This job is over, pigeon-hole the papers and thank God you didn’t have to see it through. Good luck.—(Signed) AY. A. Foster.” 11l a letter lo bis mother. Foster said lie bad promised Olive be would never go without taking her too.