HIMATANGI TRAGEDY

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIX, Issue 245, 14 September 1929, Page 9

HIMATANGI TRAGEDY

RETICENCE OF POLICE. SOME SALIENT FEATURES. MANY THEORIES ADVANCED. Although it is apparent that the Himatangi fire tragedy, in which, eight persons perished, has becomo more than a simple fire involving deaths, no further information has been divulged by the police following the announcement made to the “Standard” representative yesterday. An indication was given that there w'as “some other happening besides the fire,” but, beyond that statement, the official channels of information are reticent, and have declined to give any details in support of the assumptions <at which they have arrived. Admittedly, the case is shrouded in deep mystery, and is invested with many strange features. The terribly complete nature of the grim tragedy has only increased the riddle which has to be solved. There are evidently numerous aspects requiring explanation, and it is in that direction that vigorous inquiries are being prosecuted. The numerous personal interviews which are being made with all persons likely to have been in the locality at about the time of the fire, suggest that some strong theories must be held regarding the occurrence. That developments have transpired to justify the conclusions reached by the police is amply evident, but as yet no intimation has been forthcoming of what additional features are likely to be revealed. Sufficient disclosures have been made, however, to warrant the assumption that associated with the tragedy is a gravely -serious element. SALIENT FEATURE. Public opinion all points to one saliient fact, and that is the failure of any of the occupants to become aware of'the fire before all were rendered oblivious to the occurrence and had become the unsuspecting victims of a chocking tragedy. It may be assumed that the evidence to be brought forward at the inquest may shed much more-light on the occurrence. ■ Numerous theories have been advanced to account for the fact that eight victims perished without any apparent effort at escape, and until the matter is elucidated, they will continue to gain currency. The latest feature which has perhaps added to the complications of the affair is that although practically all the victims w-ere presumed to have died in their night attire, it is impossible to state so definitely, so complete was the incineration of most of the bodies. Another strange incident was the burning even of the dog in the house, without warning being given to the inmates. The “Standard” representative was informed this morning by the police that the burned double-barrel shotgun was the only weapon found. Meanwhile, the police are pursuing their exhaustive enquiry. OPINION OF MRS WRIGHT’S FATHER. CONDITION~OF EXITS. Holding the conviction that the eight victims of the Himatangi fire perished as the result of foul play, Mr W. Remnant, of Te Awe Awe Street, Palmerston North, and father of Mrs T. Wright, expressed that view to a “Standard” representative yesterday afternoon. “My firm opinion is that there was foul play,” commented Mr Remnant emphatically, but he was unable to advance any motive .accounting for the terrible tragedy, although ho maintained that under ordinary circumstances at least some of the occupants of the ill-fated house should have received sufficient warning to enable them to make a safe exit. Notwithstanding that, however, there were apparently no indications that any of the vicitms had moved after the outbreak of the fire from the positions where their remains were found. The'opinion voiced by Mr Remnant was that the account given by Mrs King, a neighbour of the late Mr and Mrs Wright, concerning the description of the dwelling was probably the most correct one, and he had implicit faith in her statement. When interviewed the other day by a “Standard” representative, Mrs King was emphatic in declaring that all the bedrooms opened out into the livingroom, and she sketched a plan of the building, indicating exactly how the furniture had stood. Mrs King was well acquainted with the interior of the homestead, having visited it on numerous occasions and assisted the late Mrs Wright in arranging the rooms. On one'occasion the children had been playing in their bedroom jumping in and out the window, which was a large one extending almost to the floor. Mrs King had remarked on that occasion what a fine window it was, and Mrs Wright had commented that it would be a good exit in the event of fire. Mrs King said that all the windows opened. She was possibly Mrs Wright’s only visitor, having been a girlhood friend. Another matter which perhaps required elucidation, added Mr Remnant, was the fact that both Mr and Mrs Wright possessed gold watches which were always in their keeping, having been treasured gifts, but so far as he had been informed, no trace of them had been found. Mr and Mrs Wright both worked particularly hard, added Mr-Remnant, and to his knowledge were in the habit of retiring at about-8 or 9 p.m.

REVIEW OF TRAGEDY. ENQUIRIES. BY POLICE. EXAMINATION OF REMAINS. (From Our Own Correspondent.) FOXTON, Sept. 14. It is now a week since a terrible tragedy was enacted away back on the Himatangi Estate, miles from civilisation, and after seven days’ investigations the polico here also are in a position to definitely intimate that something more than a fire occurred in that three-roomed “shack” known as the Westlako homestead. In view of this pronouncement a review of the facts of the case as noted by the “Standard” representative in Foxton are possibly interesting. Word of a tragic fire at tho Westlake homestead was received at Foxton by the police about 1 o’clock last Saturday and ft was not long before the polico and the “Standard” representative wore on the scono. Detective Russell, who had also been communicated with, arrived shortly after from tho direction of Rangiotu. Messrs Kauri and Criffin, shepherds ir: the employ of the Barber Estate, also arrived on the scene together with Mr Cadogan. but none of these gentlemen was able to give any details in connection with the occupants of the house. . „„ The remains of seven people weie then discovered —those of Air Westlake, Mr and Mrs Wright and four children. Someone then intimated that they thought an employee named Bennett was also living at

the house but could not give any dofinite information on this point. SHOTGUN FOUND.

In the ruins a shotgun was discovered lying in Mr Westlake’s room, one hammer of which was cocked and the other down. The gun had fallen to pieces and both barrels were empty. The back portion of Mr Wright’s skull, however, was found to contain a smooth round bole about half an inch in diameter, 'situated just above tho baso, and msido ot which was some melted lead. How this hole came to be in Mr Wright’s head is a mystery the police are working hard to unravel. Mr Wright was lying on the broad of his hack and thus it docs not seem possible that tho hole was made after death. Then, again, it does not seem possible that the hole was made with a shotgun as had such a weapon been used it is almost tain that tho whole of tho head would have been blown off. There is a possibility, however, of such a wound being caused by a shot gun provided it was used at close range and the cartridge split round in order to prevent the shot from spreading, a method often employed by pig shooters hunting with a shotgun. Tho remains of Mr and Airs WrighA were on the floor at the end of their bed and and on either sido of Mrs Wright lay corset bones, while on her chest were brass eyes and hooks which would suggest that she was dressed at tho time of death, the only other alternative being that she had left her bed, and had fallen down at the end of it, and her clothes, possibly hung on the end, had fallen over her body. It was not possible to say whether Mr Wright was dressed or not. The body of Mr Westlake w&s fully dressed without a doubt and lying on tho broad of his back in tho living room with his head near the door and his hands drawn up to his head. A post-mortem examination of his body, it is believed, did not disclose anything untoward. His heart was reported to bo in a healthy condition. , . In Air and Airs Wright’s bedroom within about three or four feet of their bed lay tho remains of their infant daughter Prudence undisturbed in her cot. This child was dumb and, possibly on account of her affliction, the parents were more than deeply attached to her. It seems a very strange thing, therefore, that had the tragedy been merely one of fire both father and mother would endeavour to escape from the burning building without an attempt to rescue their child, almost within reach of them as they lay in bed. f Huddled in the next bedroom lay what at first appeared to bo two little bodies, but underneath was found a third. DOORS TO BEDROOAIS. From investigations carried out by the “Standard” representative, it has been discovered that all the bedrooms had windows which opened, and all bedrooms also had doors leading; directly into tho living room near which the bodies of Air and Airs Wright and the children were discovered. The windows were large, reaching almost to the ground, and the children were in the habit of jumping in and out of their window. Why, then, had they not endeavoured to escape from the fire by means of the exit they were used to, instead of rushing into the building ? The seven bodies were removed carefully to the Foxton morgue on Saturday night last. Over night it became definitely known that an employee named Thomson was living at the house. The police and detectives returned to the fire and late in the afternoon brought back some more bones found in the living room which they thought were Air Thomson’s. AT) examination showed f them to be dog’s bones. A further search was carried out and in the meantime Drs. King and Wylie set about a post mortem examination of the remains. On Tuesday they announced that among the remains in one room were discovered bones not belonging to the occupants and which belonged to an adult male. These were taken for those of Air Thomson. If this Js correct, it is counted a very strange thing that Mr Thomson’s remains should bo found in this room as his bed was in Mr Westlake’s room. STRINGENT ENQUIRIES. During the whole week the police have been prosecuting most stringent inquiries into the whole affair but tho nature of their discoveries have not been made known. They appear quite satisfied that something untoward happened at the homestead other than fire. If 60, did the person concerned perish in the flames or is he at large? What is claimed to be Air Thomson’s best coat was found hanging in the cowbails during the week. The coat is a Kaiapoi sports of tweed and in the pockets were found a rough map mowing the approach to tho Westlake farm from Himatangi, a packet of vacuum parchments, sacking needle, leather belt and buckle and old nail brush. In conversation with Mr Cadogan, while he was waiting to tender evidence at tho inquest, which was formally opened on Tuesday, this gentleman contradicted the statement with regard to Air Weslake going out at nights. He was as blind as a bat, he said, and if a light were placed in a window to guide him home he would not be able to see it. He was so blind'he often used to hit his finger when using a hammer and was frequently unable to see a thing he had dropped to pick it up again. On one occasion Mr Cadogan said that he had taken Mr Westlake into Palmerston North and he had worried all the time about getting back before dark as he said he would not be able to find his way home after dark. Air Cadogan said it was Air Thomson who was often absent at nights. He had a horse to ride and He used it to attend social functions. Yesterday, the “Standard” representative again "visited the scene of the fire and on the track out over which the children were in the habit of travelling to and fioin school discovered about a mile from the homestead a letter evidently written to Brian Wright by a 6cliool mate in Rongotea.