NEWS BY MAIL.

Hokitika Guardian, 13 July 1929, Page 8

NEWS BY MAIL.

LAKE TRAGEDY SEQUEL

WOOTTQN BASSETT, (Wiltshire) May 29.

Although the police arc still collecting fresh evidence regarding the death ol .Mrs Winifred Cranko and her four-years-old son Peter, who were found drowned in mysterious circumstances in Morsei'efl’s Lake nearly a fortnight ago, 1 learn to-day that sensational developments are not expected belore the inquest is resumed on June 4. The police are satisfied that Albert Woodward, the farm boy, saw a man in the company of Airs LTanko on the lakeside some hours after she should have returned to Little Meads, her home, for luncheon on Monday, A lay 13.

To-day, at the Divisional Police Headquarters, 1 was told, “It may be that the coroner’s jury will ,tind that this mail had nothing to do with the death of Airs Cranko and her son beyond a callous refusal to help them after they had fallen into the water.” Mr A. Stuart-Pitceathly, Major Oranka’s brother-in-law, has been driving about W'ootton Bassett and the neighbourhood during the last few days on his motor-cycle wearing a dark brown leather■ mask. It extends from the top of the forehead to below the chin.

Mr Pitceathly says that he had this mask especially made for him in Swindon. He had been forced to use it because of the embarrassment lie lifts experienced as a result of the glances of the villagers since the tragedy occun ed.

WIDOW’S £3,600 WINDFALL. . NEW YORK, May 29. The present depression in the stock market is enlivened by the romantic good fortune of Airs Amy Boulter, a widow with two sons, who lives here. Six years ago Airs Boulter brought 200 shares of Radio stock lor £l6O. The certificate was lost in the post and she was unable to obtain any recognition that she owned, any of one of Wall-street’s most spectacular stocks. She had to educate her chijdren. then aged four and five years, arid she says She would then have sold hei stock at a few hundred dollars profit had she possessed the certificate. Thanks to the delay due to official “red tape,” when she receives the shares this' week irom the Radio Corporation til by will be worth £3,600.

COLLAPSE' IN DOCK. LIMOGES,France, May 26. Charles -Barataud, the young millionaire who is charged with two murders and is' suspected of plotting two more, was carried, a limp fainting figure, into the assize’) court here this morning. Within’the last week he has twice tried to commit-.'suicide. Thousands of people surrounded the Palais dei,Justice at an early hour, shouingj'iP Death to Barataud !” The war record of Barataud was read out in court. It was a tale of heroic courage and initiative. Then came the accusation according to which lie is guilty of . two murders in cold blood after having led a life full of criminal adventures. Barataud, his face white and fixed lint still trembling as if with fever, collapsed on the floor of the dock. He was carried out and the sitting had to bo suspended while medical aid was sought. After an interval lie was brought back and questioned by the presiding judge as to his movements on the night of the first murder. “You have stated,” M. Teyreygenl said, “ that you know the name of the man who murdered Faure, the taxicab driver. If you wish to defend yoursell now is the time to tell us who is the murderer.” , “My honour is at stake,’ Barataud replied. “I have sworn never to reveal the mime. It' is a secret which is not my own and which I cannot betray.’’