THE SCHOOL MURDERS

Auckland Star, Volume LIV, Issue 252, 22 October 1923, Page 6

THE SCHOOL MURDERS

WHAT HIGGINS SAID TO MR REID. TO "WIPE OUT" CHILDREN. BRAVE WOMEN TEACHERS. (Special to -'Star. - ') WAIHI, this day. Although Mr. R. T. Reid, the headmaster of the Waikino school, is not in a condition to make any formal statement in connection with the shooting affair at the school, he has held some conversation with his wife, who was admitted to his bedside at the Waihi j Hospital, where he now lies with a ! wound in the throat. As far as the story can be pieced out, John Christoi pher Higgins, when he entered the head- ' master's room on Friday morning, is alleged to have said that he had come to " wipe up" the Waitewheta children. Higgins lives on a section at Waile--1 wheta, which is situated between WaiI kino and Karaugahake, and it is stated that he is not on very good terms with | the rest of.the people living there. Higgins said something about having been prosecuted a couple of years ago for not sending his children to school, but he did not seem sore about the fact; in fact, he seemed to regard being fined as a light way out of the difficulty, as he wanted the children at home to help j him in his work. j Seeing that Higgins meant trouble. Mr. I Keid endea soured to talk him into a better frame of mind. A though Hig- | gins said he did not bear any ill-will j against Mr. Beid it was obvious he had a grudge against someone. When Higgins took out his automatic pistol Mr. l?cid endeavoured to get possession of it, and Higgins is understood to have answered, " Well, if you will have it, take it!" and it was then that he shot Mr. Reid in the jaw and throat. What an Assistant Saw. With the exception of Mr. Reid all the teachers at the Waikino school are women—Miss I. Grant (first assistant), Miss G. M. C. Kcndon (infant mistress), and Misses D. Hewitt, I Bell and E. Sutton (pupil teachers). Miss Kendon states that angry voices were heard in the headmaster's room, and then there was a sound of a shot. Higgins then came out of the room and entered the infants' classroom, where he fired two shots. He then went to the classroom of the other standards and fired a number of shots—most of the casualties being caused in that room. By this time the children were flocking out of the building. Some of the older ones got out of the windows, and the smaller ones were being helped out by the women teachers—who were not attacked by the murderer, in fact one of them brushed past him in the doorway and he made no attempt to molest her. Miss Kendon said the women showed much bravery in the face of the aw-ful tragedy that, was being enacted before them, and Miss Bell was particularly cool, and helpful in getting the chili dreu out of the building. | "You Won't Hurt Mc " | Kelvyn McLean, who was shot dead, j knew Higgins, and according to what some of the other boys say, went up to him and said, "You won't shoot mc, will I you, Mr. Higgins? You remember I used to help you to fill your firewood sacks." Another boy says that poor little ! McLean also said, "You won't hurt mc, | Air. Higgins, I want to sec my mother?" Higgins fired point blank and killed the 1 boy. Allan Stewart, the other boy killed, i was also shot at close range while he wa3 trying to get away. The girl Kathleen McGarry, who was badly hurt, was | shot in the thigh as she sat at her desk. Alexander Bustard was shot in the abdoI men and thigh. Raymond Shaw was shot in the hnnd while trying to get out of one of the windows. How Higgins Was Taken. After the children were shot Higgins went back to the headmastr'e room , (where Mr. Reid was still lying) and shut himself in. The Waihi police were on the scene fifteen minutes after getting word, and lost no time in getting into the sechool. Sergeant O'Grady had a long parley with Higgins, trying to . induce him to give himself up, but the murderer refused u'ltil the sergeant had broken in the top half of the door and jso exposed Higgins to direct fire. At one j time Higgins said to the sergeant, "I'll I toss you whether I fight to a finish or whether you come round to the window," the point being that Higgins was shootI ing tram the window at the angry crowd | outside. After Higgins gave up the | police had great difficulty in keeping back the infuriated crowd. But for the | police it is ->-•:•'." .. • ,;„ht have been | ynched or shot in cold blood, the people were so ince„-_u. ~___ ai , rae of tho crowd rushed into the room where Higgins had shut himself, Higgins was knocked down and one of the men kicked him in the fac'. Some of the civilians kept cool, and they helped the police to kei.)! ii.- rest of tne crowd back. CONDITION OF VICTIMS. HEADMASTER STILL SERIOUS. Dnring Saturday and Sunday hundreds of from all parts of the district inspected the scene of the tragedy at Waikino. The condition of Constable Olsen, one of the victims, has improved, and all the other patijnts are doing well. The condition of Mr. Reid, however, is still serious. ON THE WAV TO AUCKLAND. HIGGINS MAKES MILD JOKES. During the journey to Auckland, Higgins. conversing with his Waihi escort, said he fully realised his position and was prepared to face the consequences whatever they might be. He expressed sorrow for his family, but at times indulged in mild jokes. He does not, however, give one the impression that lie recognises the terrible position in which his crime has placed him. At every railway station crowds attempted to secure a glance at the prisoner, but the blinds were drawn. FUNERAL OF VICTIMS. (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) WAIHI, this day. The funeral of the two boys, Kelvyn McLean and Charles Stewart, victims, took place yesterday afternoon at the Wa}hi Cemetery. The cortege was one of the largest ever seen in the district. Both coffins were literally covered with flowers. Amongst those present were Messrs. H. Poland (member for the district), Wallnutt (Mayor of Waihi), Ritchie (Town Clerk), the members of the Waihi Borough Council and Mr. J. Gilmour (manager of the Waihi Mine). The services at the graveside were conducted by the Rev. Barnett (Anglican vicar, Waihi), and the Rev. Morgan (Presbyterian, Paeroa), respectively.