THE KWANTO MARU TRAGEDY.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1929, 11 December 1913, Page 8

THE KWANTO MARU TRAGEDY.

—, a—-_^_ THE BOS'N'S LETTERS, (By TelMtraDh.—Press Acaoelatlos.! Auckland, December 10. Tlio circumstances surrounding the death of Hgasln'bara, boatswain of tiio Kwanto Maru, who was found hanging in his cabin yesterday moming, were inquired into by Mr, E. C. Cutter., Coroner, this morning. Evidence similar to that given m the previous inquiry was tendered, after which the Coroner returned a verdict to the effect that deceased died about December 9, on board the Kwanto Maru, and that tlio cause of death was strangulation, deceased having hanged himself while confined in his cabin on suspicion of having murdered another member of the crow. . Deceased wrote four letters prior'to his death. The letter to the crew, whom iio addresses as_ friends, shows ilow keenly lie felt his position, and is appended:—"Very dear friends, without intention I committed a, most awful crime, and Gave you all trouble and worry, for which I ask all your pardon. I might bo ablo to save my life, but I shall bo lost to ail, especially to my friends. Our future often makes a lot of difference to what sort of friend wo have. It is always best to have, a good friend. You all know that lam not a person to commit such an awful crime, and I know that you will believe in mo. Although I did not intend to kill, 1 killed, and 1 do not deserve to live. 1 ought to have killed myself right after this occurrence, but 1 missed my chance. I am locked up, and could do nothing up till now, ami I gave you all tlio more trouble, fof which I apologise. It is more manly to kill by havikari, and I feel much ashamed to be seen after I killed myself in such a miserable way. Trouble after trouble I must give to my friends, and I do not know how to bog your forgiveness. I beg that the first and second officers and Kurayama Taueuldii, and the stoker, Okaniata will' see to my money, etc., and send it to my poor wife and child. As I write foci my heart going to break. . My hand is so shaky that I beg to leave.! There might have been many things I did that did not please you' all, but it is all done, and I am none. Pity the poor follow] Lot all be forgotten. "(Siejncrf) HIGASHJ..BARA."