HIMITANGI FIRE

Hokitika Guardian, 17 October 1929, Page 6

HIMITANGI FIRE

FURTHER EVIDENCE. (By Telegraph—Press Association). FOXTON, Oct. IG. Norman ITalliday Knight, farmer, at Rongatea, deposed knowing Wright and Thompson well. He could not wish for a better neighbour than Wright. Thomson was not bright, but a good worker and had a pleasant temper. \\ itness borrowed a gun from Wright last June, and in August Thomson called for the firearm, which was handed over, He said he wanted to shoot hares. He identified the gun produced. Ellen Mary Howe, married, of Palmerston North, said she knew all the parties well. She was a confident of Mrs Wright, who told her that her husband was worried over financial matters. The year before they left Rangotea he could not sleep, and he used to get up at nights and make tea. One night Mr and Mrs Wright had a row and Thomson got up to separate them. Wriglu told his wife on two occasions that be wouid take his life. On one occasion of a difference Wright pulled all the pictures down in the sitting room. Mr Peterson objected to the evidence but the objection was not sustained ,hy the Coroner.

Witness said, at times Wright would talk like a gentleman, but at other times he was very peculiar and not normal. Mrs Wright was a good hardworking woman. Thomson was a simple lad, and was devoted to his family. Westlake was very straight-forward, upright and exact. William Gerald Davis, ft farmer of Rongotea,, said Wright 'bought the farm from witness’ father, but did not make a success of the venture. The farm was returned to the trustees and Wright was given a clean receipt for £520. On signing over the' farm Wright was worried financially for years. He was a peculiar man and was not normal at times. Witness would not have been surprised to hear that Wright had gone mad'. Wright had a bill of sale over his stock, which if it had been executed would have made him penniless. William Matheson, farmer, of Rongotea, corroborated prevous evidence and said Wright was a moody man. Mrs Wright and Wright stayed with witness two nights before leaving Rongotea. Mrs Wright told witness that Wright put her out on the road one night at 2 a.m. and an hour .later let her in saying, this is enough of this, airs Wright said on one occasion, years ago, she had the pins taken from a shot gun as she was afraid of her husband. Witness would never suspect Thomson of violence. Arthur Hill, farmer, of Rongotea, gave evidence of Wright’s peculiarities. He was a had farmer and used to say queer things. He did not better himself by going on to the Westlake farm. Only a madman would go there under Wright’s circumstances.

The proceedings were adjourned for lunch.

THE CORONER’S VERDICT. FOXTON, October 16

Further evidence after the luncheon adjournment was heard from Alfred Burgess, farmer, of Rongotea, who deposed to knowing the Wrights for sixteen years. He had never considered Wright normal. Wright’s , financial position caused him grave concern. He had approached witness for advice. The failure of his farming venture was due to lack ,of industry. Thomson was simple), innocent, and absolutely harmless.

Martha Burgess, wife of the previous witness, said Mrs Wright told her on one occasion that Wright threw all the pictures about in the house, and that she had sent for her father. She also said Wright often quarrelled with her, and, on such occasions used to grab her by the throat. Such outbreaks were always at night. CORONER’S COMMENTS.

In summing up, Coroner Fraser said that one thing apparent throughout the inquiry was the fine investigations made by the police and detectives. Over one hundred persons were interviewed, and evidence was tendered by twenty-five. The doctors’ evidence was very explicit, and established beyond doubt that e ; ,glit perished in the fire. The hole in the skull was a difficult problem. There was no likelihood of finding who fired the shotgun. The fire made a clean sweep. He did not think there was the possibility of an outsider figuring in the case. A lot had been said about the financial position and temperament of Wright, but there was no evidence to prove him guilty of the death of the other occupants of the house. It was impossible to say what was the cause of the fire. The whole thing was a complete mystery. The verdict would be that all eight victims met their death on 6th September, while living in the house at Himitangi, owned by Westlake, which was totally destroyed by fire, the victims being so burnt that they were on recognisable, save by medical investigation.