Burned in Shack

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20735, 20 February 1939, Page 8

Burned in Shack

SYDNEY MAN’S FATE VICTIM HEAVILY INSURED POLICE MAKING INQUIRIES (By Telegraph.—Press Association) AUCKLAND, Monday The Auckland police are Investigating the circumstances of the death of Mr Gordon Thomas McKay (43), a hide and skin merchant, of Selbourne Street, •Burwood, Sydney, the victim of a fire in a shack at Plha early on the morning of Sunday, February 12. Interest In the fatality has been heightened since It was learned last week that the dead man was Insured for sum totalling about £40,000.

Information received privately from Australia resulted in the engagement of two prominent Auckland barristers and in the despatch to Piha of Detec-tive-Sergeant F. X. Aplin and Constable Pollard. A routine inquiry had already been made as a preliminary to the opening of the inquest but the importance attached by the police to the information regarding insurances is indicated by the fact that- police party remained at Piha from Thursday morning until mid-day on Saturday. During this time they sifted the ashes and debris of the ruined shack in search for further evidence. The inspector in charge of the detective devision at police headquarters personally visited the scene on Thursday. It is learned that the insurances are held by two companies and there is a re-insurance with a third. All three are prominent companies doing business in Australia and New Zealand. The insurance, it is understood, is £30,000 with, one company and £IO,OOO with another. Opening of Inquest At the inquest opened on February 13 by Mr F. H. Levien, S.M. in the absence of the coroner, Mr F. K. Hunt, James Arthur Talbot, companion of the dead man who had come to Auckland from Sydney with him and accompanied him to Piha in a hire rental car for a holiday. gave evidence. He stated that Mr McKay had been engaged in the hide and skin business in Burwood, a suburb of Sydney. The inquest was adjourned sine die to give the police an opportnuitv of continuing inquiries and consulting relatives as to burial of the remains. The funeral took place on Wednesday and was attended by only three people.