CHRISTCHURCH TRAGEDY

Hokitika Guardian, 28 June 1927, Page 1

CHRISTCHURCH TRAGEDY

INQUEST ON VICTIMS. (By Telegraph—For Dress Association.) CHRISTCHURCH. June 27. Yesterday afternoon, at the Christchurch Hospital, an inquest was opened before Mr E. D. Mosi'ey, Coroner, oil the victims of the double tragedy. Joseph William Davis, a brother ol Frederick Charles Davis, and a brother-in-law of Edith May Davis, residing at 19, Weka Street, Fendalton. gave evidence of identification of each deceased. He said that he last saw his brother and sister-in-law at 10.45 p.m. on Saturday. They called at his residence about eight- o’clock, and his brother explained that he was bringing back a bicycle which lie had borrowed nearly two years ago. He said that he had been intending to bring it back time and again, but had neglected to do so. Saturday evening was the first occasion on which Ids sister-in-law had been at witness’s home since her marriage. " Both seemed bright and happy on Saturday night.” said the witness, "and wore like two kiddies. Had there been anything wrong T would he just the man to notice it.” He added that his brother was Ml) years old. and arrived in New Zealand about two years ago. and lie had been continuously employed by Rost and Telegraph Department as a plumber. He had served his time in the Royal Navy, and had also served in the Australian Navy, and had had a very trying time during the war. during which he was engaged almost continuously in the submarine service. He was awarded the D. 5.0.. and had other medals. Witness saw nothing wrong on Saturday night, and it had never entered his head that his brother thought of taking his life. His brothel' was in evening dress, ready for a dance, and Ii is wife was also in evening dress. They had made arrangements to go to a dance. Senior-Sergeant Martin : Was a dance mentioned in the course of file even-

Witness: Half an hour after they were in my house, my sister-in-law said to my brother: " We won't go to the dance to-night.” Witness’s brother replied: "Very well, dear.” or words to that effect.” The Coroner: Have you seen your brother in the pnsi three or four months ? Witness: He lived with me up io last Christmas. Another relative, John Finneriy, said that tho couple had been married twelve months. The Coroner - to witness): At Christmas time did you know your brother was married or single?' Witness: I never know that he war othei than single. Senior-Sergeant Martin -aid that the police had evidence that Davis had told hi- wife that he would kill her. and she had told her sister that. The Coroner: That niighl help to clear it up. At tin's stage tho inquesi was udiourned sine die.