MASTERTON TRAGEDY

Hokitika Guardian, 13 September 1920, Page 4

MASTERTON TRAGEDY

INQUEST I’RQOEIspDKiS. (PER PRESS ASSOCIATION. —COPYRIGHT.] MASTERTON, September 12. Mr E. J. Eton, District Coroner, held an inquest on the bodies of Gavin Mckenzie, who was murdered in a shocking manner on Thursday last, and Edward John Hay, the eighteen-year-old farm boy who perpetrated the deed, at tho residence of the Mckenzio family at Fcrnridgo, Masterton, on Saturday 'afternoon. Formal ovidenco was’ given on tho lines already published. J. Dineen, Probation Officer for Wellington District, said that Hay had always been regarded as a bright, industrious and honest boy, likewise be bad given him every satisfaction, also the employers who had him for four years previous to entering the employment of Geo.McKenzie. Witness had it on reliable authority that Hay’s father also committed suicide. Hie boy’s employers gave Hay an excellent character. Another witness said that lie saw ITay and the little boy playing in a paddock • about 1.15 o’clock, apparently quite happy and contented. Witness waved to them and they returned his salutation. He was too far distant to speak to them. Formal evidence was also given by the police who conducted the search and discovered the bodies in circumstances previously reported. Other evidence on similar lines was also given.

The Coroner returned a verdict regarding the little boy to the effect |hat; tho deceased, Gavin George McKenzie had died from injuries .e----ceived from a- blow from an axe, delivered by one Edward William John Hay, the said blow causing a deep wound at the back of the head, and was the cause of death. Ho was killed by the deceased Hay some time between 1 and 2 o’clock on the property of his father, George McKenzie, farmer at Fernridge. The Coroner also found that the deceased Hay was not of normal intelligence. The Coroner conveyed his personal heartfelt sympathy and that of the whole district to the afflicted parents in connection with the tragedy which was viewed with horror in all parts of the Dominion. A verdict of suicide was returned in reference i.o Hay, who was found in such tragic circumstance by tho firing of a loaded shotgun attacked to a boot lace thereby causing instantaneous death. Deceased was not of normal intelligence. The little victim was buried in Masterton cemetery on Sunday afternoon. A large concourse of people followed tho remains to the grave where pathetic scenes were witnessed. Tlic great sym pathy of the whole district was testified by the large attendance at the funeral.