DOMESTIC TRAGEDY.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 144086, 3 May 1913, Page 3

DOMESTIC TRAGEDY.

A FATHER GOES MAD. By Electric TeWrspa.—Copyright. MELBOURNE, May 2. A terrible domestic tragedy occurred at Ballarat. Percy Coates, an engineer, a recent arrival from England, appears to have become suddenly mad. Mrs. Coates was cooking breakfast, when she was shot in the back with a revolver by her husband. She fled, and a second shot entered her arm. Sho ran to the police station, and the police, on going to the house, found a' boy aged four shot dead, and a boy aged five still alive but shot m the head and wrist. Coates was unconscious, having shot himself through the temple. Coates is not expected to recover. Lately he has been depressed., “PESSIMISTIC PERCY.” (Received May 3, 9.25 a.m.) MELBOURNE, May 3. Contes is dead, but the others are not seriously injured. Coalas was known as ••Pessimistic Percy.” owing to the doleful view he took of life. He arrived in Australia nine months ago, and h.s family followed him in March. Quo:tionnl almut a revolver lie was handling on Thursday, ha told his v;ifc he would ho ah right il' ho remained with her, hut it was a cold world for charity;