VICTIM OF FIRE.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIX, Issue 70, 20 February 1939, Page 8

VICTIM OF FIRE.

HEAVILY INSURED.

INVESTIGATIONS BY POLICE.

Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, Feb. 20. The Auckland police are investigating the circumstances of the death ot Gordon Thomas McKay, aged 43, a hide and skin merchant, of Melbourne Street, Bunvood, Sydney, the victim ot the fire in a shack at Piha early on the morning of Sunday, February 1-. Interest in the fatality has been heightened since it was learned, last week, that the dead man was insured tor sums totalling about £40,000. Information received privately irom Australia resulted in the engagement of two prominent Auckland barristers, and in the despatch to Pilia of Detec-tive-Sergeant Aplin and Constable 1 ollard. The routine inquiry had already been made as a preliminary to the opening of the inquest, but the importance attached by the police to the information regarding the insurances is indicated by the fact that the police party remained at Piha from Thursday morning till midday on Saturday. During this time they silted the ashes and debris of the ruined shack in the search for further evidence. Inspector Ward, in charge of the detective division at police headquarters, personally visited the scene on Thursday.

It is learned that the insurance is held by two companies, and that there is a reinsurance with a third. All three are prominent companies doing business in Australia arid Aew Zealand The insurance, it is understood, is £30,000 with one company and £iO,UOO with another. The inquest was opened on Monday last by Mr Levein, S.M., in the absence of the Coroner (Mr F. K. Hunt), James Arthur Talbot, the companion of the dead man, who had come to Auckland from Sydney with him and accompanied him to Piha in a hire rental car for a holday, gave evidence. He stated that McKay had been engaged in the hide and skin business in Burwood. . The inquest was adjourned sine die to give the police an opportunity of continuing their inquiries and consulting relatives as to the burial of the remains. The funeral took place on Wednesday, and was attended by only three per sons.