HIMITANGI FIRE

Hokitika Guardian, 14 September 1929, Page 6

HIMITANGI FIRE

INQUEST ADJOURNED

(By Telegraph—Press Association)

PALMERSTON. Sept. 13

in connection with the Himitangi tragedy, seven of the bodies have been definitely identified, while several other bones provide sufficient evidence to show that tile eighth body was also among the ruins. The bones were located near those of Mr and Mrs Wright, and it is now presumed that Thompson was sleeping in the living room near the partition dividing it frOm the bedroom occupied by Mf and Mrs Wriglut. Some bones which were found near the fireplace on Sunday were found to be those of some animal, presumably a dog. The inquest on the application of the police, has been adjourned sine die. Giving evidence at the inquest, J. Cadigan. residing at Bainese, stated that as far as he knew the house had been occupied by Westlake, Mr and Mrs Wright and family, and Thompson. On Saturday last, Sept. 7th. Kauri Patet, a shepherd, called at his house and asked if Wright was there. On being told he was not, Kauri stated that Westlake’s house had been burned down. Witness and Kauri immediately rode over to the house, inspected the ruins, and saw five charred bodies. The last time witness had seen Westlake alive was at 8 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. sth. and the last time he saw Wright alive was on Saturday, August 31st. He had also seen Thompson on Thursday. He Had been informed by his son, however, that Thompson had passed his (Cadigan’s) farm on the morning- of Friday, on which date the fire is believed to have occurred. As far as he knew all in the Westlake house were on good terms and he did not know of any person who was on bad terms with any member of tne household, ,