THE WAIKINO TRAGEDY.

Thames Star, Volume LVII, Issue 15960, 26 October 1923, Page 5

THE WAIKINO TRAGEDY.

HEADMASTER’S STATEMENT. A DETERMINED MURDERER, (Press Association). WAIHI, Oct, 26. Robert Theodore Reid, one of the victims of the terrible tragedy, at the Waikino public school on Friday last, when two lads were shot dead in the school-house, and eight others were wounded, made a statement at the Waihi Hospital to-day. Mr Reid, who received a . bullet through his jaw while in his study, lay in a pool of his own blood for over two hours, is still in a serious condition, but his anxiety to make a statement to get the awfulness off his mind, induced the doctor to let him speak. Mr Reid looks ill and wasted and experienced difficulty in speaking, and broke down several times during his heart-rending narrative. Mr Reid said that Higgins entered the school at the back entrance and said: “l am here for revenge.” ’ By his strange expression Mr Rod knew something was wrong, and he ushered the man into his study, where he drew a revolver and made a gesture with it, and repeated: “I am here for revenge/' Mr Reid sought to soothe him, and the man said: “They’ve persecuted me for 15 years. One of my beasts is lying dead in a paddock now.”

Mr Reid now recognised the man meant desperate mischief, and Higgins proceeded: “The world has misused me for 15 years, and I have done with it. I have come here to die.”

Mr Reid started to plead with him for the lives of the children, but without avail. With a revolver in one hand and a watch in the other, Higgins said: “I’ve given them more time than I intended. I am wasting my time. Those hounds from Waihi and from down below (meaning the Waihi Company’s battery) will have a string of men round me before I can finish the job.” Feeling desperate himself Mr. Reid walked up to him and put his hand on the man’s shoulder and said “Higgins, what about your son John, and the wife?"

He replied “they must look after themselves.’ Suddenly after consulting his watch Higgins jumped to the study door, and keeping Mr. Reid covered, said, “you are having them sneaked out while you are keeping me here. Mr. Reid walked up to him a*rd began pleading again for the lives of the children and was leaning towards him slightly.

Higgins, then said, "you will have it—then take it.” and, fired and Reid crumpled up on the floor and a great rush of Wood filled his mouth and nostrils. Later he fell into unconsciousness and on regaining he could hear Higgins tramping round the class rooms apparently looking for and shooting at the children.