STRANGE INSURANCE CASE.

Auckland Star, Volume XLII, Issue 149, 24 June 1911, Page 17

STRANGE INSURANCE CASE.

A strange insurance case ie being inquired into by the I'aris judicial authorities, at the instigation of two insurance companies, agauist a young Belgian, tweny-six years of age, who in accused of .having allowed a friend and chum to dri>wn who had taken, out an insurance policy in his favour. The Belgian, In fact, had a fiiend and chum, a young German, whom he had known as a student. The two friends, who each had come means, founded a business enterprise in partnership, and kept a depot of glass aud chinaware in the Hue de Paradis. Their business seemed to prosper, and the two partners took out an insurance policy of £-4000, each in favour of the other, in two companies. It was agreed between them that the insurance would go to whichever of them survived the other.

It happened that only two months later, as the two friends were on an. excursion in the suburbs, the German was drowned. The survivor states that he did all he could to rescue his friend. It was a Sunday, and he had decided to go to a certain spot in the suburbs, on the banks of the river. A young woman was to join him, and he asked his friend, the German, to accompany them. It was in the month of October, and though the water was already cold they decided to bathe, both being good swimmers. The Belgian says that he had come out of the water, and was dressing, when he heard his friend calling for nel-p. He had got to a place where the current was very swift. The Belgian adds that he plunged into the river, half dressed as he was, and swam to the rescue. Just as he was coming- near him the German sank. A boat came along, and the men threw a rope. The Belgian clutched this, and it enabled him to dive under several times in the hope of catching his friend. But all his efforts failed, and he himself was so exhausted that he lost consciousness. Ills friend was drowned, and the body was found two daj's later. After the death of his friend the Belgian claimed the Insurance money. £2000, from each company. The companies have put off the payment pending an inquiry, and according to them the Belgian is responsible for the death of his friend. One of the points alleged against him is that, according to a certain witness, he had not gone to the rescue of his friend in time, whereas he himself says that be did all he could to Bare him. „ ,