RANGITOTO TRAGEDY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 4404, 13 October 1934, Page 3

RANGITOTO TRAGEDY.

DEATH OF FOURTH VICTIM. To Kuiti, October 12.. The death of Edwardi Lancashire Davenport in the Te Kuiti hospital last evening brings the number of victims of the Rangitoto tragedy to four. The other victims were Mr and Mrs G. M. Davenport and their son, Albert. An informal inquest on Albert David Davenport was held this morning, and was adjourned sine die.

A large force of police is camped on the site of the burned homestead and is scouring the country for the missing Maori. The task is difficult on account of the rough nature of the country. Up till last night no trace of him had been found.

The bush is so dense that it is impossible to penetrate far in the search for the Maori. A revolver unaccounted for may bo in the debris of the fire.

The Maori, who is a member of the Ngapuhi tribe was born at Hokianga, 20 years ago. Westmascott, his employer, said the youth returned home on Sunday night and went to his quarters near the daily a mile from Westmacott’s house. When the day’s work started the youth appeared very gloomy. A note was found in his room suggesting that he intended to commit suicide and as a precaution a bolt was removed from a rifle in the youth’s room. The youth assisted with the milking on Tuesday morning. Later, Westmacott advised that the youth had disappeared, talking the rifle with him. Westmacott immediately organised a search. Four men formed two parties and scoured the hills to the south of Rangitoto mountain between Westmacott’s and the Davenports. Two members of the party came across the tracks of a man in the dense bush and these were traced for a mile through bush and swamp. The tracks led to DLavenport’s property, eight, miles away, in a direct line oyer the hills. The day drawing to a close the search had to be discontinued. Late that evening the police went to Davenport’s and discovered the tragedy. Westmacott knew of no grievance that the missing youth had against the Davenports. It, has since been learned that the boy called at the home of Mr I. B. Cruickshank, at Otewa, at 11 p.m. on Sunday when he asked for a rifle, stating he wanted to capture a abndit. The request was refused and considerable pressure had to be brought on the native before he would leave.

Among the effects found in the young man’s room was a pathetically worded note of farewell written in verse. A sheaf-of letters received from a girl with whom ho was apparently infatuated was also found. As a precaution the gild has been taken by her parents into Otorohanga.. The funeral of the four victims takes places this afternoon, when all business places in Te Kuiti will be closed; for an hour as a mark of respect.