HORRIBLE WIFE MURDER.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume VIII, Issue 2242, 12 March 1886, Page 2

HORRIBLE WIFE MURDER.

A shocking murder occurred at Barrowin Furnesa on Christmas morning, it apperaed that a man, named Joseph Baines, who resided at 54, Fenton-Btreet, had been quarrelling all Christmas eve, the husband having been drinking heavily, They created considerable disturbance, and annoyed tho neighbours to such an extent that the attention of a police- constable was called to them about two o'clock in the morning. Tho officer went in, but did not interfere, cautioning Baines to bo quiet. This caution did not appear to have much effect, for the row continued more or less all nitrht. Mrs Bai.ies had been in the market soiling ss), and it is believed that Bain-js wiis angry because she re'ussd to give him any money, For some time pas-t she hud Been .the stay of the family, having had fr> keep 'the' husband, herself, and seven .children on what she Could make by sell' ing fish, About || on 'Chrikm'aS'-'niqrn-ing Mrs Bainps went into the house next door, ogqupied by a man named Evans, for the purpose of ascertaining what time it was, and about two minutes afterwards sho was followed by Baines, whoj'by that time was perfectly sober. He had no sooner got in than he said to Evans " Johnny, hear what a chatterer she is," Mrs Baines immediately cried out, " Oh, see ho has not a knife I" and began to walk backward to the other side uf the kitchen, in order to yet away from him. fie noticed her movement, and slowlv followed her, with his right hand hidden 'in 'his ivaGtcoa,t. A,3 tyji Baines was racking'sli'e stdmb.led'iigainsta chair, and sank'intoifc in a'sitting posture: ; - Bajiiesi who had'reached her, immediately' drew oujt of hie lyaistcoat a formidable-looking butcher's kisu ; nrjfi stabbed her' four times in the breast and abdomen, inflicting four horrible gashes, any of wjpich. ■wpujd have caused death, two of jtH.em being about five inches deep. The poor woman at once fell back, throwing up her arms and prying " Oh, dear f Evans, who, along with Jjis wife, had been a witness of the dreadiul tragedy, at one? closed with thp murderer and knocked him down, when the knife fplj out of his hand. Mrs Baines was carried into her own house, but died in about 15 minutes, without speaking again. The police were communicated with, and Baines, who was in a very excited state, was given into custody. On his arrival at tho policeftathin, he said to a policeman, "teslie dead yet?" and. on being answered iu"fi)ir'He«aljvfl, ho replied, "If she is not, she ought'to. lie." A closa watch wag kept on Baines in the cell',' ai he was very excited) find threatened what he would do.

At one time Bains was in a very thrlving way of business, and had he kept steady, would li-tve.done well,; but about four years ago he had about £SOO left him and ainca then he has partially gone to the bal, He has been often fined for 'lipiiig drunk, and imprisoned on twg or three say be would'take.his'w'ife's'Hfe'mnie'day and on m'ovo thai! i"i« occasion, '-had she only proceeded against' him', have been seriously dealt with by the Magistrates. About two years ago one of Baines' children, a boy about 14 years of .age, lan away from Inane to escape his lather's ill-usage'. .This boy was accident'ally.killed when''qlebpijjg out one night, ■find at the'inq'lleat 'fine's'wfj'' Mrely ce'nsure'd'hy thVcoroi'tor for,hit conduct, and .'told that he had had a, narrow estate