STATEMENT TO POLICE

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 195, 15 May 1936, Page 11

STATEMENT TO POLICE

One of Thompson Brothers EFFORT TO SINK LAUNCH DESCRIBED (Received May 14, 8.20 p.m.) Sydney, May 14. Harold Thompson, one of the two brothers who were located by the police at Broken Hill after being reported missing in mysterious circumstances, said: "We have made a statement to the police, and feel confident it will be satisfactory. That is all there is to it." The Thompson brothers have left for Adelaide, and Intend to travel by train to Melbourne and thence to Sydney by ship. A Broken Hill message says that a long voluntary statement made by Alau Thompson and signed by himself and his brother declared that while they were fishing Harold remarked that he was in a "hell of a mess with debts” as a result of personal operations. Alan described his brother’s efforts to sink the boat by withdrawing the plug and striking the side with a kellick. Harold had “a mad look in his eye," and suggested that Alan should swim ashore and let him go down with the boat, adding: “You can say the boat was capsized by a sudden wave and there won’t be any stigma of suicide.” Alan persuaded his brother to go away with him, Harold declaring that he was determined “either to die or get right away.” The statement then detailed the journey to Broken Hill and their discovery by the police, who gave Harold good advice.