SETTLER'S FATE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22468, 11 July 1936, Page 12

SETTLER'S FATE

CHARGED BODY FOUNT) MARTINBOROUGH FARMER DEATH BY INCINERATION [by TELEGRAPH Pit ess association] MASTERTON, Friday The charred remains of Mr. Bona Id Hiko McMaster, a prominent Martinborough farmer and the son of the late John McMaster, one of the early Wairarapa s.ettlers, was found this morning in the smouldering ruins of a shed at the rear of his homestead, "Tarawahi." A badly burned revolver was found near the body. Evidence at the inquest this afternoon before the district coroner, Mr. T. E. Lang, of Featherston, threw little light on the tragedy. A verdict of death by incineration was returned. No one else was reported to be missing in tho district and the Court felt certain that the remains found were those of the late Mr. McMaster. Mrs. McMaster, who is a well-known tennis player, was away in Napier at the time and Mr. McMaster spent Thursday night at homo alone. Ho was last seen alive on Thursday evening and had intended to go to Wellington this morning, but when the son of a sharemilker who was to have driven him to Featherston station, visited "Tarawahi" on Thursday Mr. McMaster told the lad that he had decided to stay at home. Thinking that Mr. McMastet might have changed his mind about the trip during the night the share-milker visited the homestead about 8.30 this morning but could find no trace of Mr. McMaster. As Mr. McMaster had been under treatment by Dr. G. S. Sharp, of Featherston, for some time anxiety was felt for his safety and later in the morning Mr. K. S. McMaster, a brother of deceased, the share-milker and another man again visited tho station, where they found the smouldering remains of the shed some distance to the rear of the homestead. A search of the ruins revealed tho charred remains of the body. Mr. McMaster, who was very well and favourably known throughout the Wairarapa, was in his fortieth year. He bad resided in tho Martinborough dis trict all his life.