THE VERGE OF A, TRAGEDY.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17105, 10 September 1917, Page 5

THE VERGE OF A, TRAGEDY.

MAN RUNS AMOK WITH AN AXE. FOUE MEN AND TWO WOMEN INJURED. ATTEMPT AT SUICIDE FOLLOWS. NO FATAL EESULTS SO FAB^ (Fbom Odb Own Coebespondeht.) WANGANUI, September 9. A labouring man named Frederick Bennier, about of years of age, ran amok with an ordinary axe in the early hours of this morning at Kauangaroa, about 20 miles from* Wanganui, and succeeded in injuring four men and two women bo severely thai; all are now inmates of the Wanganui Hospital, though it ie believed all will recover. Bonnier also attempted to take his own Ho by. cutting his throat with a razor, bat ho, too, is likely to recover. The cause of Bennier's murderous lapse cannot yet be explained, but it appears that he and his wile have been living on bad terms. Ho and hie family came to Wanganui about eight; months ago from Whangamomona, and he at once got work at the Harbour Board quarry. They took up residence at Makirikiri, but domestic troubles arose, and the position became more strained, when one of ths children- died from diphtheria. Mrs then left her husband, as the life, was -w lonely for her, and she went to live with her brother, Mr A. E. Beckham, at Kaivvangaroa, taking all tho children with her. Some time I afterwards Bennier went to her and asked I her to return horns, but she refused, and ho became very angry. He went away, but on Friday night he returned to find that_ his wife was away at Eltbam, He remained on, and Mrs Bennier came back to her brother's place last evening. Throe young" fellows named. Athelston Conroy Bayler (19 years of age), Henry Watson (19 yeans), and Norman Young (17 years), who were employed by Mr Beckham, occupied a room at the back of the house. After tea all indulged in cards, and Bennier never gave the slightest indication thai he was anything but friendly. About midnight all retired, the three boya to their ■ own room, Mrs Bennier and Mrs Beckham, with two of the children, to another room, while Sir Beckham was accommodated on a shakedown in the same room. Bennier and four of his own children were placed in another room. About 3 o'clock this morning he apparently got up in his shirt and underpants, ■■ went to the wood heap and secured an axe. Then, going first to the boys' room, ho swiftly hit each of the sleepers on the head, inflicting nasty, gaping wounds. Believing' thorn to be deadC ho glided into the room occupied by the two women, Sir Beckham, ■ and the two babies, and, as all were sound asleep, his quiet movements did noV arouse ■ them. He first of all etruok the two women, by whioh time tho urruaial sounds had aroused Mr Beckham, who just had , time to take in the" situation, when Bennier slashed at him. Mr Beckham was hit, and the blood was flowing from him profusely. Nevertheless, he joined combat • with his assailant, and after a brief struggle succeeded in wresting away the weapon. Bennier then / rushed out of the' house, and, so far as/the occupants were concerned,' they saw no more of him. Tho lad Young by this time had recovered sufficiently to crawl to a whare near by and arouse the occupants, who, in turn, lost no time in waiting Mr Hunter. The latter, by the use of the telephone, soon had all the neighbours astir, besides communicating with the police at Wanganui. When tho neighbouTo arrived it was to find Beckham's place a perfect shambles, and they did all - they possibly could for those who were injured. Senior Sergeant Bourke, Constables M'MiUari and D. Wilson, and Dr Wall motored out to the scene of the tragedy aa quickly as possible, arriving just about daylight. No time was lost by the doctor in dressing the wounds. A search of tho section was made to ascertain if there were any signs of Bennier. In an old unoccupied place about 200 yards away from tho house of the tragedy he was found lying on the floor with his throat badly cut and an open razor beside ham. The wound was subsequently stitched up, and all the injured persons were motored into tho Wanganui Hospital The neighbours did all they possibly could in render- • ing first aid and attending to the children. During the jotirnery to tho hospital Bennier regained consciousness, and asked one of the constables what had occurred. Upon being informed,. ho said: "I wish I was dead." ... •.» It is thought that the disagreement with his wifo had affected his mind, though last night, up to the retirement of the party to their ' respective rooms, nothing had been ■ said or done to create suspicion or to indicate the horrible plan working- in Betfn'er's mind. How each blow failed to penetrate vital places is also inconceivable, aa the wounds inflicted are deep and (severe. Moreover, there is no aocouTiting for tho murderous' attack on tho young men, who had no connection whatever with the families m question other than ns boarders, unlets it was that Bennier decided to kill them first so that thoy would not be able to assist later in any struggle feat might toV At the time of telegraphing the victrms ■ are all doing as well as can be expected., Tho affair has naturally caused quite a *en--1 sation in tho country.