SHOTHOLE IN SKULL.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 16 September 1929, Page 5

SHOTHOLE IN SKULL.

DOUBT AS TO IDENTITY.

INVESTIGATION OF HIMATANGI FIRE TRAGEDY CONTINUES.

A MYSTERIOUS TRENCH.

(By Telegraph—Press Association) PALMERSTON N., This Day.

Unremitting investigations into the Himatangi fire tragedy are bringing further revelations, and new developments are emerging from the web of circumstances. The latest indications seem to support the murder theory, but many suggestions are still being advanced" to account for the affair. Disclosures of great significance have been made by the police, there being almost definite evidence that one of the victims fwas shot. Conclusive proof has been obtained that the round hole in the base of a skull found in the Wrights’ rooms is not attributed to a bullet, but to a twelve-gauge shot-guu. A weapon found in the ruins was of that calibre. The hole could have been caused by the discharge of this or a similar gun. An even stronger feature is that the hole must have' been caused by a gun being discharged at a distance of a few feet, owing to the character of the perforation. The lead found iu the skull is understood to be shot melted together with the heat, but still distinguishable. The wound could not have been self-inflicted.

The mystery is whose hand fired the gun. The fact that one of the victims of the tragedy was shot seems to be established practically beyond doubt. Nothing has been disclosed to indicate whether the other inmates of the house perished in a similar manner, owing to the incineration of the bodies being so complete.

It is understood that the butt of a cartridge, bearing a percussion mark, was found in the ruins, but it is impossible to say how long ago it was fired.

When the ruins were first examined, it is understood, three groups of bones were catalogued. Among the remains discovered were those of four aduh males, there being eight bodies in all within a radius of eight or ten feet, iit is understood that three sets of adult bones were found. It is reported that ,m. remains of Wright and Thomson were found close together, and, according to the police, it is impossible to state which one was shot. The remains of .Mrs Wright completed the group. Ad were a certain space from the bed.

Westlake was found in the living room, and three of the children, were huddled together in their room, the baby being in the Wrights’ room. The pdlice stated 'that they were quite satisfied of the positions where the remains were found. From the evidence available, it lias been determined that Thomson occupied the same room as Westlake. A significant feature about the two bodies is that neither was found where the deceased was presumed to have slept, and they were considerably apart. The remains near the exit of tiie dwelling, which ware at first supposed to have been Thomson ’s, have been definitely identified as those of the dug.

The opinion is held by the police that all the occupants of the house perished. The failure of any of the inmates to escape i s certainly a feature calling for comment.

The ruins of the homestead have been subjected to a rigorous search and the ashes put through a sieve. The police have never ceased to conduct exhaustive investigations.

The remarkable intensity of the fire is attributed to the fact that it burned for 15 hours.

It is understood that the locks were in good order. That on the exit was unlocked.

At present there is nothing to indicate that another person was involved. That aspect is considered- extremely unlikely. All the occupants of the house have been accounted for. It is understood that the police will bo able to bring evidence at the inquest indicating that the remains of eight persons were found.

It is probable that the inquiries in hand will be completed in less than a fortnight.

It i 3 learned that a strange thing Is the presence of a long, shallow trench across one. corner of the house, giving evidence that it was dug about two days previous to the fire. The reason for it is unaccountable, but it is stated ithat there is an interesting explanation for this singular thing.