ARAMOHO MYSTERY

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 125, 23 November 1923, Page 10

ARAMOHO MYSTERY

STORY OF A TRAGIC DEATH

TOLD AT THE INQUEST ON MRS, OATES.

(BY TBLHORAPH PRISS ASSOCIATION.)

WANGANUI, 22nd November.

Continuing the hearing of evidence at the inquest concerning the death of Mrs. Margaret Emily Oates at Aramoho on 26th October, Constable R-. Sims said that he accompanied Hedges to Oates's place in a motor-car. When thej got there he saw Oates, -who said, "My God, it's, cruel. My wife has been murdered, and he has got away." Oates was bleeding, and witness took possession of a loaded double-barrelled gun, which Oates had. Witness then inspected the inside of the house. It was evident that Mrs. Oates had been dragged over the runner into one of the rooms. Witness at once searched the house and grounds, but without finding anybody. He took the gun with him, and wag well prepared. There was no evidence that the house had been ransacked, as he saw money and: valuables in it. Sydney H. Dobbin, Btock agent, said that he lived, next door tlo Oates's house. On the night of 26th October he arrived home about 9 p.m. Oates came to the house about 9.45 p.m., and said, " Oh, Mr. Dobbin, I've been knocked out and robbed, and I am sure my poor girl has been murdered." Oates was very shaky, and had blood all over his face. Witness immediately rang up for the police, and Dr. Hutson and Dr. Wilson. Witness accompanied Oates back to the letter's house. On going inside he saw blood in the kitchen and a chair knocked over. They found Mrs. Oates stretched out on the floor. She was breathing, and her right hand was moving. A towel was folded about her mouth and nosej it was tucked in, but not fastened. Witness and Oates had a look round the house. The latter got a loaded shot-gun, and witness carried a stick.

Detective-Sergeant D. Cameron eaid that he proceeded to Oates's house with other members of the Police Force immediately he was advised of the tragedy. He examined the house, and found it as described by Constable Sims. A coat that Mrs. Oates wore that night was found Ranging in the front bedroom, and her hat waa found in a drawer of a duchesse chest. He found a mark on the side and back of a hat that Oates had been wearing. On the following morning other police officers reached Wanganui, and a careful search was commenced, but during the previous night various inquiries were made. The distance from the shop to the house was 45£ chains The light at the corner of Field street was approximately 70 yards from Oates's house, and equalled about 700 canddepower. It gave a radius of about 100 feet of clear light. Since the murder Chief-Detectives Cummings and Kemp, with witness, Detective-Sergeant Quirke Detectives Walsh, M'Lennan, and Gourlay, a finger-print expert, and a number of constables had been actively engaged on the case, and inquiries were still )#■- ing made.

The Coroner found that the deceased, Margaret Emily Oates, was murdered by Bor ne person unknown, her actual death following a fracture of the skull and laceration of the brain.