HOUSE BURNED DOWN

Hokitika Guardian, 27 February 1931, Page 2

HOUSE BURNED DOWN

A FARMER MISSTNG. NEW PLYMOUTH, February 24 With almost a. week gone no trace lias yet been found of Donald Morrison, of Maraghae, Kohuratahi, whose house and woolshed were burned to the ground early on Thursday morning. Aged about 50, Morrison is described as a clean-shaven man, fair-haired with a ruddy complexion, big build, and standing about oft 9ins. He walks with a slight stoop. Some of the neighbours heard shots near Morrison’s house the niglit belore the fire. One dog was later found dead from a bullet wound; but the other dogs and five or six horses have completely disappeared. A careful search was made among the ruins of the house, but no signs were found of any human remains. All the tools and farm equipment around the house had been collected and everything seemed to have been burnt. Enquiries indicate that Morrison 'did not pass through Tangarahnu Gorge to Ohura after the fire, and the police cannot locate him anywhere. There have been three fires on Morrison s property since he has been in occupation : woolshed (1924), the house (1930), and the house and woolshed (1931) having been burned in turn. At the time of the recent fire the house was insured in the State Office for £250, bu tliero was no cover on the woolshed. The property is returned soldiers land, about 2000 acres of rough sheep country. The farm and buddings are both subject to a Crown lands mortgage. •