STRANGE ACTION

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22412, 7 May 1936, Page 11

STRANGE ACTION

PRETENDED DROWNING NEW BRIGHTON CASE BANKRUPTCY COURT SEQUEL By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received May 6, 10.5 p.m.) SYDNEY. May 6 Hector George Thirkell, who was examined in bankruptcy in Sydney to-day, denied a suggestion that he had pretended he had been drowned in New Zealand to enable him to escape from his wife. "My reason was to get out of New Zealand and to make a fresh start," he said. Thirkell arrived in Australia in 1D33. His estate was sequestrated in March last year, his liabilities being £SOOO. Questioned about the " drowning " incident in New Zealand. Thirkell said lie went for a swim at New Brighton, Christchuroh. and left his old clothes on the beach. He went ashore at another spot where he had secreted a new outfit. That night he left for Auckland and thence for Sydney. Thirkell said he was reported by the New Zealand press to have been drowned, and subsequently leave was sought in Court to presume his death. This he managed to stop through friends in New Zealand. He added that he did not attempt to conceal the fact that he was in Australia. The examination of Thirkell was adjourned. The clothing of a man, subsequently identified as belonging to Hector George Thirkell, manager of the Richmond Butter Company, Wellington, was found on the beach at New Brighton, Christchurch, in February, 193.3. No trace was found of Thirkell and it was thought that he had been drowned. Later, when Thirkell's name was called in the Supreme Court at Wellington in connection with an application for discharge from bankruptcy, it was stated that he was understood to have been drowned. As there was no verification of his death the matter was adjourned sine die.