ROTOMA TRAGEDY.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 6 May 1925, Page 9

ROTOMA TRAGEDY.

GIRL SENT FROM HOME. TO ESCAPE OLSEN’S ATTENTIONS INQUEST OPENED. (By TEIjEQHAPB —press association. HAMILTON, May 6. In connection with the Lake Rotorua tragedy, it appears that Molly Moors had keen sent from her home at Rotorua to Hastings to escape the attentions of Olsen, who had been hoarding with her parents. It is said that. Olsen had openly declared his love for the . girl to the ( latter’s father, who pointed out the disparity in their ages. Just before the train left Frankton, Olsen and .the girl was seen holding confidential conversations. ROTORUA, May 6. The inquest on the victims of the Rotoma tragedy opened last night before an acting-coroner and a jury ol four. Evidence of identification was given by the girl’s father. Alfred Sydney Moors, who eta ted that his daughter was visiting an aunt at Hastings. Her letters denoted that she was very well and lumpy. News reached him by telephone on Sunday that Mollie was missrug, and he asked the police to investigate. The next news he received was on Monday afternoon, when he was informed of the tragedy. The gir' was on friendly terms only with Olsen. '> had no theory for the act. The inquest was then adjourned sine die.

AT HASTINGS. GIRL’S MOVEMENTS ON SATURDAY. Mollie Moors, had been staying with her uncle and aunt in Lumsden Road, Hastings. The motive for her movements, and what exactly hep movements were, are not known, but there are elements of a sensational story in what details may be garnered at the moment. At the outset, it may stated that Mollie Moors, believed to have been 14 years of age, was sent to Hastings because it was undesirable that she should remain at hei; parents’ home at Horotiu. .pi The girl was of a, very quiet disposition, with ways which made her very popular with the neighbours. On Sat. •mlay morning she went to town. She told a neighbour’s daughter, who was very friendly with the girl, that she was going to town to buy some crepe do chine and would he hack in time to go to the pictures in the afternoon or evening. She did not mention anything about meeting anyone and appeared in her visual spirits. The police, however, learned from Mr. O. H. Thompson, her uncle, that fhe girl had received a letter asking her to meet someone outside the Bank of New Zealand, Hastings, at 11.30 oh Saturday. Mr. Thompson saw the letter hul at the time did not take much notice of it. The girl went out, hut when she did not return Mr. Thompson informed the ponce. He also mentioned that the girl had been sent down to stay with her aunt in order to keep her out of Olsen’s way. It is further [earned that the unfortunate girl had told her friend that there was someone at Horotiu whom she' did not like. In fact, the girl said she was very much afraid of someone. The reason for her fear was not stated. Olsen was in partnership with the girl’s father in running a store and bakery at Horotiu. She appeared to be very happy and contented and had never given even a hint of leaving. One neighbour stated that the girl must have been taken either by force or. at any rate, by false pretences.