HIKUTAIA TRAGEDY

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2459, 12 May 1915, Page 7

HIKUTAIA TRAGEDY

' STARTLING EVIDENCE DEATH OF F. A. CLAY (By Telegraph—Press Association.! m. j- , Auckland, May 11. Ixio adjourned inquest into the circumstances surounclmg the death of Frederick -Alien Clay, who was found dead in a creek at Hikutaia on Friday, April 23, was continued at Hikutaia to-day. when found, deceased bad a heavy stono tied round nis neck. IVIr. Joseph Nathan, Coroner, conducted the inquest, and Mr. E. Clendon reprcEOutrc^a^lves of the deceased. Dr. Couzens said that he had made an external examination of deceased's body, and discovered no signs of violence. He considered death was due to drowning. W illiani James Boon (deceased's partner), known in Hikutaia as W. J. ihomas, stated that ho came to New Zealand m October, 1913. He had lived m a number of towns, including Christchurch, Wellington, Hastings, and Auckland. While in Auckland witness advertised for a partner to purchase a L rm 'i applied, and they purchased a farm at Hikutaia. Deceased at that time had about £130, and wit£l39. They took possession of the farm in June, 1914. In January last they had a credit of £54, and How had a credit balance of £4. The S 7 -] a ?° . c^ and decided to insuro the house and burn it down to got the money. The deceased Clay went and insured tho house with the Eoj'al Insurance Company for £150. The house was not inspected by the agent. The house was also insured by the mortgagee for £250 j 0 British Office. Eventually deceased refused to burn the house, and the plan was not carried out. Witness last saw deceased on the morning of Tuesday, April 20, at breakfast; after breakfast witness wont to work on one portion of the farm. Deceased waß at the house. Deceased did not come home that evening, and witness started to make inquiries. Ho called on his tieighbours, and they had not seen anything of tho deceased. Further search Was made on Wednesday, nnd on Thursday witness informed the police. A party of settlers and the police searched on Thursday, and on Friday tho body was discovered in. a creek running through their farm. The place where the body was found was about 200 yards to 300 yards from the house, and the pool was about 8 to 10 feet deep. There was a stone about 251b. to 401b. weight tied to deceased's neck with a i'opa. The police produced a letter signed by Clay, which he gave to a neighbour oil January 10, 1915. The letter was enclosed in an envelope addressed to "E. J. G. Scott," and tho following was written on tho envelope: "From F. A. Clay, to be returned unopened when I wish.". The letter was as follows; — "I, F. A. Clay, wish this note to bear evidence that if anything happens to me it will likely be my partner, known as W. J. Thomas, as he has on sevoral occasions said he would take my life. This morning ho said he would shoot me. I therefore deposit this with Mr. Scott." The note was signed by F. A. Clay. Witness denied ever making a threat to take deceased's life. In reply to Sergeant Wohlmann, irifell ess said that he changed his name to Thomas'because his real namo, Boon, had been ridiculed. The ■witness was put through a searching cross-examination bv'Mr. E. Clendpn, who represented deceased's relatires. He did not consider burning a house I down to defraud the insurance company a very serious crime. He considered that deceased had committed suicide, and said that t'no deceased was always worrying about want of money, and waß 1 continually rowing and quarrelling about the want of cash. He said that he was always on friendly terms with Scott. Witness made several statements which were different to statements made and signed by him at the opening of the inquest. E. J. G. Scott (a farmer) gave evidence as to receiving the letter from deceased. He also swore that Boon (or Thomas as he knew him) had said to him (witness) that he would kill Clay and throw him into the river. Evidence was also given by F. Summers, who .laid that deceased had told him if ho sot into trouble he would hang himself. At this stage the inquest was adjourned for a week.