FARM TRAGEDY

Evening Star, Issue 24047, 20 November 1941, Page 8

FARM TRAGEDY

WOMAN DEAD IN BURNING COTTAGE HEAD INJURIES DISCLOSED HUSBAND REMOVED TO HOSPITAL Further information relating to the AJoa Flat tragedy, when the body of a young married woman, badly battered about the bead, was removed from a burning cottage early yesterday morning. discloses that her full name was Marion Beatrice Flaxman, and herbage 25. tier hnsand, Charles Henry Flaxman, aged 36. is now in tho Tapanui Hospital suffering from a wound in the throat. Tho couple had a young daughter. aged 15 months, and they resided on the property of Air A. J. Hodgkin (about four miles past FdicvalcL by whom Flaxman was employed. Flaxman is a native of London, while his wife was a former resident of Christchurch.

The cottage which the couple occupied stands some distance from that of Air Hodgkin, and apart from the residence of Air J. Garden nearby, there are no other homesteads in the vicinity. It was about 1.30 a.m. yesterday that Air Garden heard cries for help # and upon going outside saw the Flaxman cottage on fire. Going to-the scene, he met Flaxman coming out of the house bearing his baby daughter in his arras, and Garden entered the premises to carry out the body of Mrs Flaxman, whom he thought to be overcome by the smoke and fumes. Ho attempted to revive her. but a close examination revealed that she had some severe wounds on the back of tho bead. Flaxman, meantime, had called Air Hodgkin, to whom he said that “Marion had boon badly burned,’’ but while Mr Hodgkin went to see if he could render any assistance, Flaxman disappeared behind the stables. AVhen tho owner of the property discovered that he could do nothing for Airs Flaxman lie sought out the husband, to find him suffering from a wound in the throat. First aid was given, and Flaxman was then conveyed to the Tapanui Hospital. Ho was attended by Dr R. G. Stokes, of Gore, but his injuries are not considered serious. District constables and also police and detective officials from Dunedin, including Superintendent P. J. O’Hara and Chief-detective T. Holmes, arrived on the scene during the course of the day, and Dr E. F. D’Atb, pathologist, wlio accompanied them, conducted a. post mortem examination of the dead woman. Later, before Air J. H. AA T ajte. of Tapanui. sitting as coroner, an inquest was opened at the residence of Mr Hodgkin, and after formal evidence of identification bad been taken, it was adjourned sine die.