Double Murder and Suicide.

Opunake Times, Volume I, Issue 29, 9 October 1894, Page 2

Double Murder and Suicide.

Nelson, October 5.

There is a rumour of a tragedy at Tophouse. There is no communication to-day, aud apparently the telegraph operator is missing. Early this morning an almost unintelligible message was received from his wife, who can operate a little, telling of shots being fired. The police were despatched to the spot. The following telegram was received from Tophouse by Mr Calders, Chief Postmaster, at 4.80 p.m. day : —The three bodies of Messrs Wallis, Lane, and Bateman were found near Langley’s accommodation house. Bateman appears to have shot his two victims, and this morning shot himself on the door of Langley’s' house. He was seen this morning walking about the hillside with a gun in his hand, apparently out of his mind. Mr aud Mrs Langley 'are absent in Blenheim, and they left Bateman in charge. At 7.30 p.m. Sergeant-Major Pratt received the following wire from the constable, who reached Tophouse at 7 o’clock :—“ Found the body of Mr Wallis telegraphist, lying in the paddock behind the station, with gunshot wound in the nook ; also John Lane, lying on the road beyond Tophouse, dead. Both men were shot by W. Bateman, who afterwards shot himself on the verandah of Langley’s accommodation house.” Wallis leaves a wife, but no family. The poor woman must have passed a terrible night, besieged by the madman, and alone in the house. At Langley’s house there was agoverness and two children, but they were not molested. Bateman apparently shot Lane first, and then Wallis, enticing them out of their respective homes. It is reported that Bateman was sober at the time of the tragedy. He threatened the governess at the accommodation house on two occasions.