SHOCKING TRAGEDY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 3718, 4 October 1906, Page 3

SHOCKING TRAGEDY.

SCHOOL M. ASTER SHOT. Mysterious Affair. oamaru, October 3. The town vas startled rhis alter, noon by the new.s that Mr W. H. Rennie, schoolmaster at Papakaio, on the Kurow rnilwav line, about ten miles from here, had been mm dared, and subsequent investigation leaves no doubt that a tragedy ot that nature has been committed. , Mr Rennie lived about a mile away from his country school in a house that stands by itself, a considerable distar ce away from any other dwellings. A girl who has been accustomed to go to the house in the mornings to attend to domestic _ need--, noticed something unusual in the place this morning, and on going to the bedroom saw a foot uncovered m the bed. She ran away and called assistance, and then further assistance was called. The police were communicated with and on going out they found that Mr Rennie had been shot through the head, evidently whilst lying in bed. The bullet had passed from one side of the head to the other and the hands were folded across the breast, with the bedclothes above them. The house had the appearance of being ransacked, but there is no evidence that anything was taken away. No weapon was found in the house and the position of the body precludes the idea that it is a cose of suicide.. The hack door was found open, but itf is possible it was not locked by MrRennie before retiring for the night. The police have investigated, and it is believed could find no clue. The whole affair is wrapped in mystery. Mr Rennie was a retiring man. He has been twelve years in charge of the school. His mother lives near Dunedin. He was. thirty-seven years of age.