FAMILY TRAGEDY

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 72, 17 December 1938, Page 12

FAMILY TRAGEDY

Mothes And Son Dead

APPARENTLY SHOT IN SLEEP

Farmer

Arrested

By Telegraph—Press Association.

MOTUEKA, December 16. The sequestered little village of Uruwhenua, 15 miles from Takaka, was the scene of a tragedy in the early hours of this morning when the wife and younger son of a well-known farmer, Arthur Kerr, were apparently shot and killed while asleep. Kerr has been arrested. The victims were:— Kerr, Mrs. Arthur, aged 49. Kerr, Jack, her son, aged 10. The detonation of rifle shots in quick succession awakened Miss Ila Kerr, aged 19, shortly before 5 a.m., and at first she did not take any notice of them, as her father was in the habit of using a .22 rifle in the mornings to shoot starlings, but it is alleged that when she heard someone moving about in the house she became suspicious. Bushing from her room to that occupied by her mother and young brother, she was horrified to find them lying in bed with blood pouring from bullet wounds which subsequently proved fatal. Linesmen engaged in repairing a telephone line nearby communicated with a doctor and the police. Constable Strawbridge, Takaka, was. on the scene of the tragedy within a few minutes and arrested Kerr, taking him to the Takaka police station. The Nelson police were immediately informed, and Inspector Carroll, Detective-Ser-geant Hayhurst, and Constable Hogg arrived at Uruwhenua at 10.15 a.m. An inquest will be held tomorrow morning before the district coroner, Mr. K. W. Kirk, J.P. The two bodies have been taken to Takaka. Kerr is 55 years old and kept the Uruwhenua Post Office. The house is on the West Takaka Road, being the first house after the junction of the East and West Takaka Roads. The family was held in high esteem by residents of the Golden Bay district.