AN INVERCARGILL SENSATION.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9061, 9 April 1908, Page 5

AN INVERCARGILL SENSATION.

MAN MURDERS THREE CHILDREN.

) HIS WIFE AND TWO OTHER CHILDREN INJURED. MURDERER COMMITS SUICIDE. By Telegraph—Press Association. INVERCARGILL, April 8. A shocking tragedy was committed in South Invercargill early this morning. James Reid Baxter, a seed merchant, attempted to murder his wife and family. Three of the children are dead. The wife and the two other children were removed to the hospital in a critical condition. Baxter committed suicide by shooting himself. EVIDENTLY PREMEDITATED. HOPES FOR RECOVERY OF SURVIVORS SLIGHT. Later. The tragedy was evidently premeditated, the victims being attacked with an axe while asleep. Basil, aged nine; Roy, aged four; and Ronald, aged two, are dead. Phyllis, aged eleven, a baby aged six weeks, and the mother, thirtyseven years of age, are iq the hospital, and hopes of their recovery are slight. A caller getting no answer, communicated with the i police, who found the victims in bed. Baxter, aged 43, had a shop in town, and carried on a nursery. There was no apparent motive for tho terrible deed. The Commissioner of Police has received the following confirmatory message on the subject:— "Jamea Reid Baxter, aged 43, a seedsman, attacked his wife and five children with a heavy blunt instrument during last night, killing Basil, agod 9; Roy, aged 4; and Ronald, aged 2. "The others were removed to the hosnital serously injured. "Baxter blew his brains out with a gun. "Insanity is suspected." THE INQUEST. INVERCARGILL, April 8. The inquest on the victims opened this afternoon. After hearing the evidence of Archibald McLean, chief missionary in Invercargill, who reported the tragedy to the police, the inquest was adjourned till Tuesday next. If Mrs Baxter is not then in a condition to give evidence, the inquest will be further adjourned.