DEATH SCENE DESCRIBED

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 622, 26 March 1929, Page 11

DEATH SCENE DESCRIBED

BROTHER’S PRESENTIMENT

TWINS FROM NEW ZEALAND (Australian and N.Z. Press Association) Reed. 9.45 a.m. SYDNEY, To-day. Twin brothers, Thomas and William Irvine; aged 40, who were born in New Zealand, had never parted until this week-end, when William’s body was found in Pott’s Hill reservoir. Throughout their schooldays, in New Zealand, they were in the same class. Both were brilliant scholars. They came to Sydney several years ago. Illness overtook them, and they were taken to Bookwood State Hospital on the same day. ’William left the institution on Saturday with a razor.

When interviewed by the police Thomas said: “Bill has not cut his throat, hut he is lying in a pool of water, with a stone tied around his neck.”

Thomas’s presentiment was true. The police found the body, and the scene was almost 1 identical with that described by the twin brother. According to a later message it is stated that the brothers’ correct names were Thomas Robert Irwin and Harry James Irwin, whose father was supposed to be a wealthy Christchurch citizen. Thomas Irwin, who was drowned, left a note on his pocket Bible asking his brother’s forgiveness, saying:— “X cannot stand this pain. I have not an enemy in the world, but I am heart-broken over the trouble this will give you. Get Dr. Brooks to put you in another ward with pleasant company.” The twins were intensely attached to one another. Both suffered from neurastnenla six months ago.

REMARKABLE LIKENESS FATHER A CHRISTCHURCH BUSINESSMAN Press Association CHRISTCHURCH, To-day. With, reference to the Irwin tragedy at Sydney, the father is Mr. Samuel Irwin, manager of S. and A. Irwin, land agents, of Christchurch. The two sons left Christchurch 10 years ago. Both were accountants, and held good positions here and in Australia. They bore such a remarkable likeness to each other that. their fattier himself could hardly tell them apart.