DOUBLE TRAGEDY

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 388, 24 November 1932, Page 2

DOUBLE TRAGEDY

bri^eianf sensation farmer murders son and t1akes own life.

PREMEDITATED CRIME. Brishane, Thursday. A ghastly douhle tragedy occurred at the People's Palace this morning, when Richard Croker, a middle-aged farmer, of Namhour, murdered his son Robert, th'en committed suicide. Croker I until recently had a fruit farm at -Byrnside, pear Namhour, hut^ ahoiit three weeks ago he bought a milk fun in East Brisbane. He carried on this business until yesterday, when he was npticed to he depressed, and did not cteliver milk in the afternoon. Croker and his son, who' was about fourteen, stayed at the People's Palace last night. They left about 8 a.m. to-day, hut returned ahout an hour' later. Croker Was then carrying a parcel. Shortly after they entered the rooni tyro shots rang out in quipk succession. Liftman H. Boncroft went to investigate, and saw' a stream of blood flowing from under the door of Croker's room. Bursting open the locked door he found the boy sagging in a chair with a severe facial wound, and the father lay on the floor in a pool of blood. Croker was a widower, his wife having died about a month ago. When the. police searched the Crokers' room they found a notebook, which contained the following nots: — ^"The extreme step I contemplate taking is the result of careful consideration. I realise my actioxl is going to be hard for those left hehind." In th'e nots Croker also stated that he was trouhled over his son's condition. He considered the boy was baekward and would not have a ch'ance in life. A further passage referr'ed to *a girl named Enid, presumahly Croker's daughter.