COLDSTREAM TRAGEDY

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 142, 16 June 1923, Page 5

COLDSTREAM TRAGEDY

VICTIM SAID TO BE THE SON OF

A BISHOP

KISSEL'S STATEMENTS EESULT

OF DELUSION.

(BI TELEGRAPH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION.)

CHRISTCHURCH, 15th June. A correspondent writes as follows to this morning's. " Press " :—

" As an old friend of the man found shot at Mr. John Studholme's house I would like to say that the deceased, James Henry Turing Mackenzie (not M'Kenzie) was the son of the celebrated Bishop Christopher Wordsworth, suffragan. He was born in the palace adjoining tho beautiful cathedral at Lincoln, and was the youngest child of a family of ten children. He was related to and connected with some of England's and Scotland's noblest families, but being opposed to all studious work and of an adventurous spirit, he left home early and wandered through America and Canada, for many years. Later, coming to Australia, he attached himself to the " Bush .Brotherhood," with whom he stayed until before tho time when he devoted himself to the care of patients afflicted with leprosy at Quail Island. Always poor in worldly goods, he knew no luxury whatever. In giving aid to others and charity connected with his beloved Anglican Church, no appeal tv his generous heart was made in vain. So ascetic were his tastes that he even forswore the use' of tobacco that he migtjt have more to spend on others." The victim of the tragedy, James Henry Turing Mackenzie, was buried in the Coldstrearn Estate cemetery today. In accordance wit.li custom, all employees who die on the estate are buried at Coldstream.

The police investigated Kissel's statement that he murdered a girl named Elsie Prestige, a former schoolmate, and no such givl is known to be residing in Canterbury. The statement is believed to be a delusion, especially as Kissel, at night time, raves about killing horses.