KAITI TRAGEDY

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXIII, Issue 11826, 6 January 1933, Page 4

KAITI TRAGEDY

BODY FOUND OX HH-I

INQUEST OPENED

Inquiries into the circumsiancc s * surrounding the death of Thomr.’ Scott, whose body tv as found on Haiti Hi!i on Wednesday afternoon, were opened yesterday before Mr. H. MPorter. -J.P. and a jury of four. After the evidence of iv.'o witnesses had been heard, the inquiry was adjourned pending: a post mortem examination. .Senior-Sergeant Wade represented the police. The first witness was Constable Neale, of Haiti, who stated that the body was found in a plantation on the side of Kaiti Hid. Apparently it had been there for several weeks. As near as could be judged, the deceased was a man of about 50 wears of age. with fair hair and somewhat bald, about sft 6in in hc-ight, of strong build, and with the first finger of the right hand missing. The body was on its back and there were no signs of any struggle. .fust below the man’s foot witness said he had found a new enamel mug. which smelt strongly of a poison. and a bottle practically empty which bad contained similar poison. He then detailed the papers found on the deceased and which gave his name. Dr. J?.'M. Gunn said that although there was ail empty poison bottlo and a new mug present it was impossible to say that the deceased had committed suicide. At this stage, the scting-Coroner intimated that he would adjourn the inquest sine die in order that a post, mortem examination could be carried out.