FEARFUL TRAGEDY AT TOPHOUSE

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XV, Issue 4844, 6 October 1894, Page 2

FEARFUL TRAGEDY AT TOPHOUSE

Two Men Murdered, Suicide of the Murderer. (By Telegraph—Press Association). Nelson, October 5. Tho following telegram was received from Tophouse by Mr Calders, chief postnioster.atiSOp.m. to-da£: —" The dead bodiesof Messrs AVallis, Lane and Bateman were found near Longney's Accommodation House, known as the Tophouse. Bateman appears to have shot his two victims this morning, and himself, on the verandah of Longney's houso. He was seen this morning walking aboitt the Hillside with a gun in his hand, apparently out of his mind, Mr and Mrs Longney are absent at Blenheim, and thoy left Bateman in charge." At 7,30. p.m. Sergfc-Major Pratt received tho following wire from the Constable, who reached Tophouse at 7 o'clock:—" Pound the body of Mr Wallis, telegraphist, lying in the paddock behind the station with a gunshotwound in tho neck, also that of John Lane on tho road beyond Tophouse, with a gunshot wound behind tho ear, dead, Both men were shot by W. Bateman, who afterwards shot himself on the verandah of Longney's accommodation house." The bodies will be brought to Foxhill on Saturday evening, where the inquest will be held. Wallis leaves a wife, but has no family. The poor woman must have passed a terrible night, besieged by the mad man and alone in tho house. At Longney's house there were a governess and two children, but they were not molested. Latest Particulars, (By Telegraph- Press Association). Nelson, Saturday. Bateman apparently shot Lane first and then Wallis, enticing, them out of their respective homes, Ho shot himself yesterday afternoon, It is reported that Bateman was sober at the time of the tragedy. Bateman tkoatpJUjdJho gojoj'nessj&thp Accommodation House on twooccasions, and ho has also threatened to shoot others.