THE KAIMATA TRAGEDY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXV, Issue 1143, 6 September 1913, Page 2

THE KAIMATA TRAGEDY.

BODY OF MISSING MAN

The body of Virgin, author of the Kaimata tragedy of 14th August, was found by Constable Smythe in the Mauganui River on Thursday, about half-a-mile below the bridge', Irom which be was supposed to have thrown himself.

[Virgin was the central figure in one of the most sbockiug tragedies in the history of the Dominion, which occurred at Kaimata at 4 o’clock in the morning of Thursday. 14th August, when the charred remains of three bodies were found in the debris of a burned house. Two children escaped from the burning house, after having been severely handled by their assailant. Virgin was found to be missing. The tragedy took place in the house formerly occupied by Virgin, who had sold out to a man named Julian (one of the victims)’ only to subsequently regret the deal and endeavour to revoke it. This evidently preyed on Virgin’s mind. Julian had just taken the property over, his furniture having arrived the day previously. Julian’s eldest daughter, and Smith (the driver of the furniture van), were the other two victims of the murder. The verdict returned at the inquest was that the trio had been attacked iu their sleep by Virgin, who subsequently set fire to the house, reducing their bodies to ashes. As some clothing of Virgin’s was found ou a bridge near by, it was generally believed that he had drowned himself.]