FAMILY OBLITERATED

Evening Star, Issue 22351, 29 May 1936, Page 8

FAMILY OBLITERATED

MAEREWHENUA FIRE TRAGEDY THE INQUEST OPENED MEDICAL EVIDENCE OF BULLET WOUNDS [From Our Correspondent.! OAMARU, May 29. After a lapse of some months, during which time an exhaustive investigation was carried out by the Police Department, the inquest was commenced to-day before Mr W. H. Frith (coroner) touching the _ circumstances surrounding the obliteration of a family of four, the remains of whom were found amongst the smouldering ruins of their home at Maerewhenua on February 26 iu circumstances which were shrouded in mystery. The names of the deceased were :—•

Arthur Douglas Nolan, the husband. Thelma Mabel Nolan, the wife. Linden Partick Nolan, aged seven. Anthony Travis Nolan, aged 12 months.

On February 26 the goldmining district of Maerewhenua was shocked at the news that the Nolan family had perished in a disastrous fire which had razed their home to the ground, but after investigation it was soon revealed that there were mysterious aspects of the case which made the tragedy one of the worst in the history of New Zealand. Sergeant M’Gregor appeared for the police, and Mr H. J. S. Grater for the relatives of the deceased. Dr R. S. J. Fitzgerald said he proceeded to Maerewhenua and inspected the remains of the Nolan family. On the site of the front right bedroom were the remains of two bodies. Lying on a wire mattress were the charred remains of one body. Only the bones of the upper arms were intact, and these suggested those of an adult woman. Directly behind this room was another wire mattress, reposing on which was the charred body of a child, lying on its left side, curled up as if asleep. He considered the age between seven and eight years. In the left front room were the remains of an infant on a wire mattress. At the request of the police he conducted a post mortem on the remains found. The examination of the body that was thought to be Douglas Nolan’s revealed that the pleural cavity was completely filled with blood clot. There were also three holes iu the posterior wall of the left thorax. _ The upper _ hole was between the ribs. The middle, hole revealed three charred broken ribs. It was impossible to say whether these holes were caused by a wound or were the result of burning. There whs no wound of the heart that could bo detected, but there was a large quantity of blood clot in the anterior mediastinum (the space between the main vessels of the heart and the chest wall). On examining the main vessels from the heart there was disclosed a large perforating wound of the aorta. There was also a wound of the posterior wall directly opposite. He was unable to find any foreign body iu the blood clot or in the chest wall.

In witness’s opinion death was caused by severe internal hemorrhage as the result of a wound of the aorta, and death must have occurred in a few moments. The wound was consistent with a bullet wound.

An examination of the body thought to be that of Mabel Nolan was made, but the remains were so destroyed that it was impossible to state the cause of death, other than that of incineration. In the body thought to be that of Lindon Nolan, the left pleural cavity was found to be full of blood clot, showing that there had been extensive hfemorrhage. This disclosure suggested a wound of the heart, but no foreign body was discovered. In his opinion death was due to a- severe internal injury to the left lung. The remains of the infant body were completely incinerated, except for a small part of the abdomen. The pericardial cavity was full of blood clot, indicating a severe _ wo-.nd to the left lung. A wound in the stomach was found, and was consistent with having been made by a rifle bullet of .22 calibre. Death must have been instantaneous.

William James Ryan, dental surgeon, said he examined the exhibits of teeth taken from the remains found, which were consistent with the ages of the four members of the Nolan family. EVIDENCE ON THE FIRE. Charles Douglas Adams, farmer, residing at Maerewhenua Post Office, said he was mustering sheep two miles distant from the Nolan homestead on the morning of the tragedy. About 10 o’clock he noticed dense black smoke issuing from the house, and immediately galloped to the scene. On arrival he made a search for the occupants, but was unsuccessful. The whole of the house was on fire except the outhouses. R. Simpson and Mr and Mrs James Hors, parents of Mrs Nolan, arrived, and a further search was made. Witness first noticed a body when the police arrived at 12.15 p.m. Prior to the fire he did not see anyone about the road or hills surrounding the Nolan house. Witness had known Nolan for several years, and knew him to bo an agreeable person without enemies in the district. Both husband and wife appeared to get on well together and wore fond of the family. James Simpson, farmer, of Tokarahi, said he owned the house in which the Nolan family lived rent free. Witness had known the family for many years, and corroborated the evidence of the previous witness as to their popularity in the district. Noland had a rifie, which Mrs Nolan used to shoot rabbits with during her husband’s absence. The window in the bedroom occupied by the husband and wife was left open at night, especially when the husband was at home. The lighting used was a kerosene lamp, but in both kitchen .and bedroom occupied by the Nolans candles were used. He had known Mrs Nolan all her life. _ and knew her to be of an amiable disposition. She was fond of her husband and family. Nolan himself was a good-tempered man of witty disposition, a good worker, and reliable, always temperate in his habits. Robert Simpson, brother.of the previous witness, gave corroborative evidence.

Janies Joseph Hore said he was the father of Mrs Nolan, and knew the habits of both very well. They usually arose at 6.30 a.m., and they got on well together. Witness did not know of them having any serious disagreements. The youngest child had been off colour, and not thriving, but be did not think Mrs Nolan was worried or depressed over the matter. Witness had spoken to his daughter over the telephone the day before the tragedy, when she appeared quiet cheery. That same night the husband called at witness s house on his way home from work, and appeared in happy mood. Witness staled

that Mrs Nolan was in the habit of using her husband’s rifle for shooting rabbits, and was a very good shot. He recollected that his daughter had not been feeling too well, but it had since occurred to him that perhaps she had been concealing her state of health to obviate worry. After due consideration he did not consider that any outsider was responsible for the tragedy. If Mabel had done it her brain must have snapped during the night, stated witness. He admitted that Mrs Nolan was at times concerned about her baby, but he did not think the tragedy was premeditated. William Brash Hutchison gave evidence as to Nolan’s character and worth as a worker. Witness said Nolan did not turn up at his place on the morning of the occurrence, where mustering operations were being carried out, but witness thought he must have been detained. About 9 o’clock he noticed a thin column of smoke issuing from the Nolan house, but did not attach any importance to it, as he thought they were burning rubbish. Just before 10 o’clock ho rang up Hore, and inquired about the absence of Nolan, but received no satisfaction. His attention was then drawn to the Nolan house, from which smoke was rising. Witness had last heard from Nolan the previous evening, when he was in good health and spirits. BROTHER’S VIEW. William Arthur James Hore, brother of the deceased woman, said he had no idea his sister was ill until a few weeks before the tragedy. She then appeared run down, nervous, and slightly depressed, and he thought the loneliness was affecting her. I* le Nolans, to his knowledge, did not have any enemies, and were well liked. Taking the whole of the circumstances into consideration, witness was of opinion that his sister suffered from nerves to such an extent that it got the better of her, and she destroyed her husband and children, and probably herself. He did not think, however, that the deed was premeditated.

Evidence as to Mrs Nolan’s ill-health and apparent depressed condition was given by Elizabeth Ailson Hore, mother of the deceased woman, and was corroborated by other witnesses. There was refusal of a witness, Annie Spillane, to submit her evidence as taken by Detective Thomas. She contended that the evidence she had given the police had been in the strictest confidence, and refused to read her statement. . , The Coroner said he was surprised that witness, who was a school teacher, should show such mentality. Other witnesses had attempted to retract parts of their statements, and he did not like the idea of all this tittle-tattle. Statements made should be adhered Witness, on the advice of counsel, then decided to read her evidence, which stated, in effect, that Mrs Nolan was a highly-strung woman, and was much concerned over the health of the two children. She apparently did not like living in Simpson’s house, which was isolated. Mrs Nolan had expressed the hope of eventually being able to leave the district, and was, prior to the tragedy, very depressed at times.