EPIDEMIC OF CRIME.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18201, 28 February 1929, Page 9

EPIDEMIC OF CRIME.

Savage Attack At Night. VICTIMS' HOUSE RANSACKED. (United Pram Association—By EleotrU Tal. graph --Copyright, i SYDNEY, February 27. Mr and Mrs Coombes, of were brutally attacked by two thieves in their home last night. The men were ransacking the house when the occupants arrived. It is believed that a life preserver was used in the attack which followed. The woman was badly cut about the face, and the husband was knocked to the ground and savagely kicked. The thieves decamped with a small amount of money.

ANOTHER DOMESTIC MYSTERY. FOUL PLAY SUGGESTED. (Unltad Praia Association—By Elaotrta Talagrapb—Copyright.) (Received February 27, 11.30 p.m.) LAUNCESTON, February 27. A single-barrelled gun was found under the burned body of Thomas Archer, after a fire destroyed his home, near Devonport yesterday, wiping out the whole family. The gun contained a discharged cartridge. • A razor was also found on the bed. A brief bag was found in the garden containing a barely decipherable note, ending: “Good-bye, Tom.”

[A cottage tenanted by a family named Archer, near* Devonport, was burned down on Tuesday. The bodies of seven occupants, charred beyond recognition, were found in the ruins. The family consisted of Thomas Archer, aged 49, his wife, Olive, aged 35, two daughters aged 11 and 9, and his three sons, aged six years, four years, and 10 months. All the bodies were found m bed, except that of the father, which was beside his bed.]