TARANAKI MYSTERY

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXII, Issue 11449, 25 February 1931, Page 5

TARANAKI MYSTERY

FARMERS’ HOUSE AND WOOLSHED DESTROYED BY FIRE

OWNER MISSING

DOGS AND HORSES DISAPPEAR

(Press Association.)

NEW PLYMOUTH, Feb. 24

With almost a week gone no trace lias, yet been found of Donald Morrison, of Marangahae, Kohuratahi, whoso house and woolshed were burned to the ground early on Thursday morning. Aged about 50, Morrison is described as a clean-shaven man, fair-liaired, ' ruddy completion big built, about sft. llin., and walks with a slight stoop. Some of tho neighbours heard shots fired near Morrison’s house the night before, tho lire. Olio dog was later found dead from a bullet wound, but other; dogs and live or six horses have completely disappeared, A careful search was made among the ruins of the house, hut no signs were found of any human remains. All the tools .and farm equipment around tho house had been collected and everything seemed to have been burnt.

Inquiries .indicate that Morrison did not pass through Tangarakau gorge to Oliura after tlio fire, and the police cannot locate him anywhere. Thero have been three fires on Morrison’s property since ho has been in occupation, the woolshed (1924), the houso (1930), and the house and woolshed (1931) having been burned in turn.

At the recent fire, the house was insured in the State office for JC2SQ, hut there was no cover on the woolshed. The property is returned soldier’s land, about 2000 acres rough sheep country. Tho farm and buildings are both subject to a. Crown lands mortgage, '■