FIRE TRAGEDY.

Press, Volume LXV, Issue 19724, 14 September 1929, Page 23

FIRE TRAGEDY.

HINTS OF FOUL PLAY, j POLICE MAKING THOROUGH INVESTIGATION. iSSOCIAIIOK TELSSIUM.) P4IAIERRTON N-, September 13. Development* of a sensational nature apparently foiiowed investigation, conducted into some strange teatures a»o----ciated with the dreadful fire at Himatangi, near Foxton, on September ah, when eight people were burned to death, a pohoe •*»*•«•»* made to a -'Standard' representative. "We hare definitely come to the conclusion that there was some happening besides the fire" stated the police in indicating the trend of numerous investigations at present, m hand and being continued. "The facts of the fire itseli are generally known, and we are in a position to confirm the suspicion that there was some serious happening apart trom tne actual tire. Close investigations are being pursued, and will extend over a number of days. The inouest will be resumed as soon as possible. No Effort Spared. "It is a matter which concerns the public," it was added. An intimation was given that no effort would be spared to shed further light on, the terrible tragedy. "We have a suspicion that there was a further serious element of tragedy in this case, in addition to the actual fire itself Our investigations are on the lines of proving whether what apparently happened in the house was the result of an occurrence which took place inside or outside If the former were the case, then the secret perished with the fire." That the enquiries in hand were protracted was indicated by the police, who stated that evidence was being gathered to trace and confirm the movements of all persons likely to have been in the locality about the time the tragedy occurred. Yesterday about twenty persons were seen by the detectives in charge of the affair/a very large number of personal interviews being made. , Owing to the difficult nature of the country to be traversed and the sparse population, extensive travelling has been necessary in connexion with the exhaustive enquiries conducted. "Are there anv indications to show that the fire was*purely an accident?' the police were asked Thev refused to discuss the aspect. "Has anything been found which is likely to throw further light on the tragedy?" asked a "Standard" representative. , A The police were non-committal ana declined to discuss further. A most serious feature of the mysterious occurrence is a statement that a little lead was found in a round hole in the base of one of the. skulls discovered in the room occupied by Mr and Mrs Wright This was confirmed by the police, wno said that this could be attributed to the skull being struck by something falling in the fire, after death, and molten lead dropping down from the roof. ___^__———..