FAMILY WIPED OUT

Grey River Argus, 6 November 1934, Page 5

FAMILY WIPED OUT

IN THE WAIKATO Triple Murder AND A SUICIDE. HAMILTON, November 5. (Per Press Association.) An entire family was wiped out in a shocking domestic tragedy, which occurred at a small dairy farm, at Horsham Downs, five miles from Hamilton, at 11.30 o’clock this morning. The victims wore:— HARRY T. ROGERS, aged 2G. farmer. MARTON ISABEL GOLDEN ROG LRS. aged about 26. his wife. BARBARA ROGERS, aged two years and a half.

NOLA ROGERS, aged 10 months. The first indication that anything was amiss came when a shepherd, a brother of Mrs Rogers, who is employed on the Rogers farm, called at the cottage at 12.30 p.m. He was shocked to find his sister lying dead in the washhouse, which adjoins two rooms of the collage. Without investigating further, he rushed back to gid a neighbour, Mr G. Al. Williamson. The latter went across to the Rogers cottage, and there found all of the members of the family dead. Rogers was found lying on his face in the bedroom, with a pea rifle partly underneath him. In the same room, lying in a cot, was the child Barbara, who also was dead. The body of the baby, Nola, was found in its pram in the kitchen. All of the victims had been shot at close range with a pea rifle. The body of Airs Rogers, which also contained a pea rifle bullet, was found lying on her back in the washhouse. It was obvious that she was shot while she was engaged in washing. The Rogers had been on the farm since last June.

r l he farm is fifty acres in extent, and has been milking fifty cows. The house had been erected when the Rogers entered into occupation. Although they were not well known 'in the district, they had been exceedingly popular with all with whom they had come into contact.

Air Williamson stated this afternoon that Rogers had visited his farm (about a mile away) at ]1 o’clock this morning to return some wire strainers which he had borrowed. Rogers was then quite normal. He gave no indications of any stress or worry.

It is stated, however, that Rogers was a man given to worry, and that he had been in a depressed state for some time. He ys said to have suffered financial worries.

Several articles of clothing were found hanging on the clothes line, and there was another tub full of washing n Ihe ' washhouse, where Airs Rogers net her death.

Investigations made by the police at the Rogers farm this afternoon point to the theory of triple murder and suicide, no notes or any indiea-, tion of Rogers’ intentions being found. Airs Rogers returned only a few days ago from a holiday with the children. There is no access to tho house except over paddocks.