Murder! Fire! Suicide!

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVIII, Issue 34, 8 October 1915, Page 5

Murder! Fire! Suicide!

SENSATIONAL TRAGEDY AT WHANGAREI, FIRE AT MAORI HOSTELRY. THREE PERSONS PERISH. ALLEGED STARTLING DJE/ELOPr r j , i MENTS. ( A. i.l ~ , Peh Press Association. AVhangarei, October 8. A fatal lire occurr«dat 2..‘H1 this morning, when the Mupnua Private Hotel, used as a Maori hostelry, and the contents were totally destroyed. The building was occupied ,by about thirty-seven natives, most fof tvhom were in for the Native Land Court. The place was a wooden building, and the lire spread rapidly, 'getting out of control. The brigade, after the tire, found that three persons had perished. A. Qxley. Native of Barbadoes, aged 51. the proprietor. His son. aged 12, and A Native. Paihopa. Many natives had narrow escapes, and had to descend from the verandah in their night clothes. A cottage on the property adjoining was also destroyed, but the contents were saved. The hotel was insured for £750, but there was nothing on the contents. It is estimated that the loss is £IBOO. The Maori victim was the uncle of Tan Henare, M.P. ,Sensational developments are expected. indicalitlg that Oxley shot his ■son, and committed suicide after firing the house, Oxley left a letter for Mr and. Mrs H a yds. Tanmarnnui, stating that lie intended to commit suicide.