HIMITANGI FIRE

Hokitika Guardian, 16 October 1929, Page 5

HIMITANGI FIRE

INQUEST ON VICTIMS. FURTHER EVIDENCE. (By Telegraph—Per Press Association.) FOXTON, October 16. On resuming the inquiry this morning, James George Coley, labourer, of Foxtail, deposed to seeing Westlake on the morning of the tragedy and later in the afternoon, riding back to his farm between four and six o’clock. William Maurice Griffin said he knew Westlake and Wright and spoke to both a few days before the tragedy. They always appeared to be on good terms with each other, but a day or so before the fire, standing on a ridge with field glasses looking over the sheep, he saw three men outside Westlake’s house, whom lie took to be Westlake, Wright, and Thomson. The man taken as Thomson walked away from the other two and ran back. This was repeated several times. Witness thought they were having an argument. To Mr Peterson—There was nothing to show the others were participating in a quarrel. He could not swear the three men were the occupants of the house. He watched the scene for two or three minutes from the ridge, half a mile away. When in past conversation with Westlake he said Wright was one of the fairest men he had ever met. FOXTON, October 16.

Alfred Robert Crowe, a farm labourer, on Barber’s estate, a Iformer owner of the farm taken over by Westlake, sold out in February of this year. There was only a two-roomed whare oil the place, 22 feet by 12, divided into two rooms. Witness detailed the additions made to the building by Westlake, and the location of homestead. He considered it impossible that a stranger could find the place at night. Westlake paid cash for the property. Witness was quite satisfied with the deal. He knew no one anxious to get the place from Westlake. He knew no one who bore malice to any member of the household. All were good neighbours in the vicinity.

Detective H. Russell re-entered the box, producing a medical certificate as to the unfitness of Robert Moles, a former share-milker on Westlake farm to attend the inquest.

The statement read intimated that Moles on wages for Westlake, carted timber for additions. When finished the house was a death trap. The windows were nailed so as only to open six inches. Some had boards across. Westlake was of a very even temper nnd only once was aroused during Moles’ term. Westlake was blind in one eye, and almost blind in the other. He had to be met when returning to the farm and assisted at night. Witness left of his own accord.

John King Stratford, a former sharemilker nt Westlake’s farm, said he left the farm because the house was not fit to live in. He detailed the lay-out of the house. Witness took the nails out of the windows. There were no sash weights, and he used to prop the windows open. Westlake was a peculiar man. Witness could not get him in conversation. He used to enter his room through a low window. There were no firearms on the place.