GIFTS OF MONEY

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 25 May 1928, Page 8

GIFTS OF MONEY

DEATH OF ELDERLY BACHELOR

INQUIRY TAKES REMARKABLE TURN.

(UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION—BY ELECTRIC

TELEGRAPH—COPYRIGHT.) (AUSTRALIAN PRESS ASSOCIATION.)

LONDON, May 23. Following upon sensational developments in the Pace murder case, public interest was centred in the inquest concerning the death of Hilary Rougier, aged 77 years, a bachelor farmer at Woking. The case has taken a remarkable turn, owing to the examination of Win. Lorwill, a well-dressed man in the early thirties, in whose house JR ougier was living when he died on August 14tli, 1926. The body was exhumed two months ago and an inquiry ordered by the Home Office. Lorwill in his evidence to-day admitted that he had received between £SOOO and £6OOO from Rougier by cheques. Other evidence was to the effect that when Rougier’s body was exhumed, morphine was found in the body. Lorwill said that he had no idea, how the morphine came there. He had a recollection that Rougier asked him to get laudanum for some dogs winch -were suffering from eczema. He admitted that many of the cheques were in his handwriting but the signature was Rougier’s. He did not know thatRougier had only £SO left after he had received £6OOO. This was mostly in the form of gifts, as Lorwill was in financial difficulties. Mr Hardwick, a solicitor gave- evidence that he personally met Rougier and explained that Lorwill was in financial difficulties. Rougier said that lie had known Lorwill since boyhood and was willing to help him to avoid bankruptcy. Mr Hardwick added that he thought Rougier must be wealthy in view of the free manner in which he gave money.