Attempted Murder and Suicide.

Taranaki Herald, Volume L, Issue 11977, 27 May 1902, Page 3

Attempted Murder and Suicide.

AN AUCKLAND SENSATION^ Ter Press Association. Auckland, May 26.— Late this afternoon word was received by the police that a resident of Parnell, William. Parker, shot his wife and two children and than attempted to take his own life with a revolver. Mrs Barker and her children- are expected to recover ; but Parker is in a dangerous state. Additional particulars show that Parker and his wife had lived unbappily for some time. The man was much given to drink, and refus led to support his wife. She, with two children, one aged four years and the other nine months, was at her mother's place, and at about three o'clock this afternoon her husband, who had been living apart from her for several days, came to see her. When standing at the back door he is understood to have asked her if she would * come away with him. She replied "No," at which he sa^, "You take things very coolly," and pulling a small seven-chambered revolver out of nis pocket fired two shots at her. One passed through her cheek, coming out at the mouth, and the other struck her in the temple. She was carrying the baby in her arms, and the shock seems -to have caused her to let it fall. The four-year-old child was also in the yard, and was shot in the arm by its father. The child then ran into the house. The baby was shot at by the father, who went on like a madman, and was also hit in the arm. Parker fired several shots at the baby, which was lying in the yard some fifteen minutes before being rescued. He eventually shot himself in the wash-house, and then staggered "out into the yard, when he was secured. The mother and children are almost certain to recover, but Parker's condition ia serious.