The Silverstream Tragedy.

Hastings Standard, Issue 475, 13 November 1897, Page 2

The Silverstream Tragedy.

HAWTHORNE'S BODY FORCED INTO THE GRATE.

THE DECEASED SHOT THROUGH

THE HEAD

THE POLICE FIND A CLUE.

(Per Press Association.)

[By Telegraph.]

Wellington, This day. Hawthorne's body was crammed into a hole too small for it. It was doubled up to some extent, and gave the onlookers the impression that it had been jumped on to make it fit in. The features were unrecognisable. The body was clothed in a shirt, trousers, and socks. After exhumation it was placed in a coffin and taken by rail to the Wellington morgue.

The deceased's hat, which was found in the grave, had a hole in the brim which it is thought may have been caused by a bullet.

Some of the residents of Silverstream express the opinion that Hawthorne has not been shot at all, but was poisoned. This belief strengthened by the fact that Hawthorne's mate said he had been vomiting blood for two days just about the time he disappeared . Hawthorne was only about 21 years of age. He was born at Akaroa, where his brother is how living. His parents are settlers near Feilding. He is spoken of as being a very steady, industrious, and exceedingly methodical in his habits. When he disappeared he was working with a man named Philpott, on a contract for supplying 500 railway sleepers to the Government. Of this number 225 had already been supplied. Commissioner Tunbridge, the new Commissioner, was amongst the police who were present when the body was exhumed. The man who was Hawthorne's partner in the sleeper-cutting contract is at present in the Terrace Gaol on a charge of forging a cheque a few months back. It is belived the police have strong 5 evidence connecting someone w T ith the murder. Certain articles supposed to have belonged to Hawthorne have, it is stated, been recovered from sundry sources, and evidence may be adduced as to how they were disposed of, and by whom. Drs Cahill and Tripe made a post mortem of Hawthorne's body this morning. The inquest is fixed for 2.30 this afternoon, when the medical evidence will be taken, in order to permit of the burial of the body immediately, Later, The post mortem of Hawthorne shows that he was shot through the bead.