WIFE SLASHED BY RAZOR, AND SHOT IN TEMPLE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17699, 20 November 1925, Page 7

WIFE SLASHED BY RAZOR, AND SHOT IN TEMPLE.

HUSBAND SEES RED IN RICHMOND HOME AFTER BREAKFAST QUARREL. Savagely attacking his wife with a razor, Will Bayliss, a middle-aged man, of 8, Slater Street, Richmond, inflicted terrible wounds. Bayliss then tried to sever the artery in one of his wrists with a pair of scissors, and, while medical aid was beyig sought, he turned a small revolver on his wife, shooting her through the temple. Both are now inmates of Christchurch hospital, and Mrs Bayliss’s condition is reported to be serious.

SON RAISES FIRST ALARM. “ RING FOR DOCTOR, DAD’S BEEN SLASHING MUM ABOUT.” Holding three blood-stained razors m bis band, the nineteen-year-old son of Mr and Mrs Will Bayliss, of S, Slater Street, Richmond, ran to the bouse of a neighbour early this morning and informed the occupants of a brutal attack bis father bad made upon his mother. 'l’ing tor the doctor,” be said, dad s been slashing mum about.” v Le lady ut the house asked no questions, but burned to the nearest telephone to summon the doctor: Even while she was returning three shots rang out, followed by a woman’s it is alleged that Bayliss attacked bis wile with the razors, ami then attempted to take his own life. The son intervened, and immediately rushed outside to call for help. After the razor attack, Mrs Bayliss is said to have rushed outside crying pitifully. Sinister blood-stains arc to be found on the little asphalt path that runs around the house, and it is apparent from the quantity of blood she must bare lost that she was in a weak condition when she was removed from the house. Such are the details of the tragedy enacted at Richmond this morning Living at their pretty little bungalow home, the Baylisses are said to' have been a happy couple, quiet and retiring and highly respected, but of lato the man bad been depressed. Recounting the story of the affair this morning, a neighbour said: “T was in my kitchen when T beard the son calling me. T rushed outside, and the boy was standing there with three razors in his hands. TTe said : ‘Ring for the doctor; dad's been slashing mum about.’ I did not ask for anything further, but rushed across the street to the nearest ’phone. T had summoned the doctor and was returning when T heard three revolver shots. Then the woman screamed. ,r For some months past, it is stated. Bayliss had been upset and anxious regarding his relations with bis wife. Early this Mrs Bayliss. with her son. was making a pot of tea in the kitchen, when her husband entered the room. He asked her what orders she would like him to bring from town, and she named some requirements. Bayliss was doubtful if be could remember these, and asked his wife if she would write them down. “ Oh.” she said, “ if you can't remember them don't trouble about it.” This remark, it appears, infuriated Bayliss who, as the doctor who attended after the affair put it. seemed to go quite mad. lie had with him a

small revolver, which he fired at his wife several times. The son rushed forward and struggled with Bayliss, while the wife's scream aroused the curiosity of the neighbours. In the struggle, the son received an injury to one wrist, whether a gash from the razor or a bullet wound, it is not known. It appears that the husband, foiled for the moment, attempted to shoot himself, and then stabbed himself in the 'wrist with a pair of scissors. He raged about the house, leaving stains of blood behind him, and at length, it appears, succeeded in dragging his wife out on to the verandah. The son cyme out, and took her in again, locking the front door. Bayliss then went down a path to tire back of the house, encountering a latticework gate on the way, which he opened, leaving a dark stain on the - woodwork beneath the latch. Entering the back garden, he went on to the porch at the rear off the house, where he entered the wash-house, leaving grim traces on the door-knob, after which he managed to open the back door, and fired another shot at his wife. By this time, the alarm having been given. Constable M’Leod, stationed at Richmond, with Dr J. C. Pairman, arrived. and Bayliss was captured with little resistance. Medical attention was given, and then Bayliss and liis wife were conveyed to the Hospital. The revolver shots which were fired inside the house were quite audible to the neighbours round about, and it is stated that they were fired in quick Inspector Till, of the Christchurch Police, said this morning that it was too early at this juncture to make any statement. The police were making inquiries in connection with the matter. Bayliss, who is in the employ of the New Zealand Farmers’ Co-operative Association, is a brother of -Acting-detec-tive Bayliss*; of the Central Police Station. lie is stated to have been depressed of late. “He wasn’t looking himself,” said a neighbour this morning. “ I could see he was depressed or something.” / When Bayliss married his wife, then Miss Ada Bull, they lived in Linwood, near Stanmore Road, and Bayliss kept a small store. Then Bayliss entered the grocery department af the Farmers’ Co-operative, and for a number of years resided at SI, Hills Road. About two years ago they left Hills Road and went to Slater Street. The son, Harold Bayliss, is nineteen years of age, and is employed in the office of T. 11. Green and Co., bacon dealers, Richfield Street. It is stated by the police that five empty cylinders were found in the magazine of the revolver. .Mrs Bayliss received three bullet wounds, and it is understood that Bayliss shot himself twice. Inspector Til! stated this afternoon that -there was a possibility that Mrs Bayilss’s depositions would ho taken immediately. Acting-Detective Bayliss. who was one of the detachment of police officers sent from Christchurch to the Exhibition, arrived in Christchurch last night. Yesterday he received an urgent summons to return home as his child was suffering from a serious illness.