A TARANAKI TRAGEDY

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVI, Issue 85, 14 August 1913, Page 5

A TARANAKI TRAGEDY

SUPPOSED MURDER. five people missing. WHO FIRED THE HOUSE? CH ARR EI) REM AINS EOU X D

[Pep. Press Association.] Inglow m.a, August 14. An awful tragedy occurred at Kaimata during last night. A man named Julian had bought out a farmer named 5 irgin. Julian came out and took over the farm last night, with him being his two daughters aged 19 and 16 years, and a son aged 14 years. These, with the driver of the furniture express, slept in the house with Virgin. Julian, bis son and the driver occupied one room. Julian and the driver were in the same bed. The girls occupied another room. During the night one of the daughters, Dorothy, was awakened by a blow. She knew someone was in the room and tried to wake her sister hut could not get a reply, so she made her escape and found the house in flames.

The hoy says he heard someone eorae into the room, who struck his father and the driver, when he heard a gurgling sound in that bed, and he got out of his own and crawled under it. When the man left, the boy matie his escape. The house was totally consumed by fire. It is just reported (9 a.m.) that Virgin’s hat and coat have been found on the Waiongona River bridge, fheie is no trace of Julian, the driver, am. the oldest daughter.

CHARRED REMAINS FOUND

TWO DAUGHTERS ESCAPE. Wellington, August 14. The Secretary of the Post Office has received a wire from the postmastet at Kaimat.i relating to the tragedy. It states that charred human remains were found among the dehns. Julian’s two other daughters, who slept at r. neighbour’s house, escaped.

AN INTERESIING DOCUMENT. LETTER FROM VIRGIN. Ha worn, August 14. At to-day’s meeting of the Taranaki Executive of the Farmers’ Union a letter was received from Mr F. JVirgin resigning his position as treasurer and a member of the executive. He stated that as Ire was ahout .tr remove to Warea it would lie inconvenient for him to attend meetings; and he thanked members for the kindnes shown him in the past. A LATER ACCOUNT. FURTHER PARTICULARS. VIRGIN STILL MISSING. Inglewood, August 14. Further particulars of the Kaimata tragedy shows that the charred remains of three bodies have been found in the debris of the house.

From the positions of them, undoubtedly those of Julian and the driver (Smith, of New Plymouth). Avere in one room, and the daughter in another.

The first to escape from the burning building was Julian’s son, aged 1 ’ years, Avho van to Mr Death’s house, about a quarter of n mile distant. He reported the tragedy, and short ly after his sister, 16 years of age, arrived at the same house 1 . Both children Avere much bruised and bore very decided evidence of foul treatment. They Avere clad only ir their night apparel. Virgin, Avho is missing, Avas a. AvellknoAvn and prominent farmer in the district, being for a number of years a member of the Mon, Road Board and of the Knimata branch of tin New Zealand Farmers’ Union.

It appears lie regretted the deal made with Julian, and endeiA’oured to revoke the same, offering compensation, hut the latter refused this Evidently this played on his mind and drove him to commit the dreadful act.

The police are inspecting the scene ami the country in the vicinity of the river, where a hat and coat and Avaist coat wore found. Up to the present ro further trace of Virgin lias been found.

Mrs Julian is expected to reach Kairnatn. this evening with the rema'ning members of the family. Sh is driving through from Warea.