THE INVERCARGILL TRAGEDY.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9065, 14 April 1908, Page 5

THE INVERCARGILL TRAGEDY.

THE INQUEST. BY TELEGRAPH - PItESS ASSOCIATION.. INVERCARGILL, April 13. The inquest concerning the deaths of the victims of the Crinan Street tragedy was concluded this morning. Archibald McLean, city missionary, said that he had a daily opportunity of observing Baxter's relations with his family, and would saythat they were a very happy family. Baxter was not hasty tempered, and. witness had never heard angry words. Baxter had been ill about a month. Dr Ewart described the woundf, and: added that insane people were liable' tn impulses which may sometimes be: of such force as to be irresistible. George McCarter, employed in Baxter's shop and nursery, said that on the Monday preceding the tragedy Baxter was pale and very quiet, and seemed in a low and weak state. He' had seemed depressed for about a fortnight. At 8 p.m. on Tuesday (the night of the tragedy) he went to' Baxter's house for instructions. Hesaw Mrs Baxter, who took his message to Baxter, and brought back, the repty. She said Baxter's head was bad. Margaret Mcßofcie, who had. nursed Mrs Baxter through a recent illness, said that Baxter was kind to his family, but for a fortnight before witness left the house he had been complaining of pains inthe head. Witness thought him far from sane. He would lie In bed all day. Sometimes he would go out for part of the day and then come home and go to bed. During this fortnight he seemed miserable and ate little. One night he took a bottle of laudanum from witness' room, and when asked to return it said he had broken the bottle. The jury found that James Reid Baxter committed suicide while suffering from impjlsive insanity, and that the other victims met their death at his hands while he was so suffering. Iho police were specially commended for their action in dealing with an emergency.