BURNED BONES MYSTERY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21115, 24 February 1932, Page 6

BURNED BONES MYSTERY.

CONCLUSION OF INQUEST.

VERDICT OF MURDER.

teeth and ring identified.

[FROM OTJR OWN CORRESPONDENT.] SYDNEY, Feb. 18. Remarkable evidence and remarkable scenes have been associated the inquest on the charred bones that were found near Murchison, Western Australia, last year. Mainly by the aid of three witnesses who were brought 5000 miles from New Zealand, the coroner had no hesitation in finding that the remains were those of J. Carron, a Canadian, who % for some time lived with his wife in New Zealand. The teeth and the ring which were found among the ashes were definitely identified. A verdict of murder was returned against John Thomas Smith, aged 26, who is also known as "Snowy" Rowles. Despite the terrible allegations that have been made against him, Rowles has many friends in the district. This was demonstrated in a remarkable manner last Saturday morning, when five Crown witnesses, including his sweetheart, presented themselves outside bis cell and demanded of the constable who was on guard that they should be allowed to shake hands with him before be left the district. They were laden with tobacco, fruit and cakes for their friend. When they were told to go away there was intense indignation, and for a while it seemed as though an ugly scene was threatening. Many people in the district believe that Smith is innocent, and it is believed that many spectacular developments are likely during the course of the trial. It was stated at the inquest that the ramshackle hut near where the bones were found has for years been regarded as haunted. Stockmen and boundary riders have for avoided the old anteaten structure. A wrinkled aboriginal told the coroner that " longa longa" ago a black was speared to death on the spot where the hut stands, and that the natives buried the body in a spot near by and then cursed the place.