TRAGEDY AT GREYMOUTH

Press, Volume LXXV, Issue 22662, 17 March 1939, Page 12

TRAGEDY AT GREYMOUTH

VERDICTS AT INQUESTS DEATHS OF YOUNG WOMAN AND MAN (From Our Own Reporter.) GREYMOUTH, March 16. Verdicts that Frederick Jack Hitching, a painter and paper hanger, aged 26. died at Greymouth on March 4 by his own hand, and that Alvis Doreen Williams, a waitress, aged 23, died at Greymouth on the same date from poisoning, were given to-day at Greymouth by , the Coroner (Mr Raymond Ferner, S.M.), at the inquests into their deaths.

From the evidence given, the Coroner said, the inferences and facts could be drawn that Hitching had been with Miss Williams when she was last seen alive and shortly before her dead body had been discovered. Soon afterwards, Hitching had committed suicide by the same agency which had caused the death of the girl. Kitching’s possession of that agent suggested premeditation. The note which Hitching left behind connected him with the girl’s death. “The handkerchief found after his death in Kitching’s coat,” the Coroner said, “was wet with blood and had the significant smell of almonds. He had divested himself of this coat,-had hung it up and had donned his pyjamas before he committed suicide. The presence of these indications on this handkerchief is consistent with it having been used on the girl. The medical evidence about the injuries to the interior o. the girl’s throat and mouth are consistent with some attempt on her part to make herself vomit. These considerations will not support a verdict of suicide in the case of the girl, and there will be an open verdict.” Evidence of Doctor

In evidence, Dr. William Anderson Bird said that he had been called to Kitching's lather’s house and had found Frederick Jack Kitching lying deeply unconscious on the sittingroom floor in pyjamas. Artificial respiration failed and Kitching had died about half an hour or three-quarters of an hour later. His condition was strongly suspicious of poisoning. Examination of a face-cloth found near the body had disclosed a definite smell of almonds. Witness detailed the results of postmortem examinations on the bodies of both Miss Williams and Kitching. There were no external signs of violence anywhere. Miss Williams was in a state of three months pregnancy. In both •bodies, witness said, there were abnormalities which definitely pointed to death by some toxic agent. In his opinion, death in both cases resulted from poisoning and pregnancy did not play any part in the death of Williams. In reply to the Coroner, witness said that the cut and the blood in the girl's throat were iresh. There was nothing to indicate forcible administration qf the agent which caused her death, and it was likely that the marks were self-inflicted, perhaps from her having made an attempt to vomit. Girl of Bright Disposition

Thomas Williams, a labourer, of Hokitika, said in evidence that for about two and a half years, his daughter, Alvis Williams, had been keeping company with Kitching, who had often come home with her and had stayed with the family. Witness had been told by his wife that their daughter had discussed her relationship with Kitching and had mentioned her intention to break off the friendship. His daughter was of a bright disposition and had never given any indication that she might take her life. As far as he knew his son and Miss Williams had been on the best of terms, Harry Waters Kitching, jeweller, of Greymouth, said in evidence. His son was of reserved and quiet disposition but had never given any sign that he intended to take his life. Witness had been present when detectives had found a npte in his son’s handwriting, and dated the day of his death. The note said: “Dear Mum, Dadj and Hilda: I am sorry to do this, but I think it is best for all that I should. You will know the reason soon enough. Good-bye to all. Jack.”

Since Christmas he had met Alvis Williams every week, William Archibald Boddy, a miner, of Runanga, said in evidence. Two weeks before her death she had told him that she had another boy friend, and that she was going to break it off with that man. Witness knew that the other man used to visit the girl in her room, but he had always gone before witness called. Room Found Locked On the night of March 4, witness had left a dance at Greymouth and gone to the girl’s room, which was locked. Witness returned to the dance, and told a Miss Gillanders, who roomed with Miss Williams. With Miss Gillanders and a friend named O’Leary, witness then returned to the room, which Miss Gillanders opened with her key. Miss Williams appeared to be asleep, with the bedclothes neatly drawn around her. After the others had left, witness put his hand on Miss Williams’ forehead, which was cold. He had recalled the others and a doctor Was called. The room was in order, and there were no signs of a struggle. , „ , The Coroner; You understood that she was to break off her engagement with the other man and to become engaged to you?— Yes. What was her reason? —Because she liked me better. Any other reason? —Not that I know of. How often had vou seen her since Christmas.—Once a week. Did you know that at the time of her death she was in a certain condition? —No. , , , .. The question was repeated to witness who was warned that he was on his oath. Witness again answer no. Can you suggest any reason why, if she were pregnant to another man, she should break oft her engagement to that man and become engaged to you?—No . , Do you think it likely that any girl in her position would act in that strange way?—l do not. I put it to you that it was because she was pregnant to you that she was about to break off her engagement with Hitching and become engaged to you?—l couldn’t say. Intimacy had occurred between you and Miss Williams?— Yes. You swear that she had never told you that she was pregnant?— Yes. Evidence of Room-mate A waitress, Edna Gillanders. in evidence said that she occupied a bedroom with Miss Williams above premises in Waite street. Witness last saw her alive at . 9.30 p.m. on March 4. She was then lying on dier bed in their room fully dressed, talking to Hitching, who was sitting on the bed. She Was in good spirits and mentioned “that she had not felt so well for years.” • Witness left the room at 9.30 p.m., leaving the two on the bed. After detailing the finding of the body, witness said that as far as she knew. Hitching had been the last person with Miss Williams. Witness knew of no reason why either should have taken their lives and had never heard either express an intention of so doing. She did not know Miss Williams was pregnant. No Sign of Struggle

Detective-Sergeant H. E. Knight in evidence said that, with Detective C. Davis, he had gone to Miss Williams’s room early on the morning of March 5. The room was in order and no signs of disarrangement ,or of a struggle were apparent. The only thing of special note was that a small carpet at the side of the bed was wet on the under side with no liquid on the floor to account for it. The liquid appeared to have been wiped away. No poison or anything else that would account for death could be found and no external injuries were apparent

on the body. Later, he visited the home of Mr Kitching. In the pocket of the dead man’s coat, witness found a _ coloured handkerchief very wet with some moisture. It bore bloodstains and had a strong smell of almonds. The body bore no external signs of injury. Inquiries had been made to ascertain if a purchase of a certain poison could be traced to either of the dead persons, but no such sale could be traced.