WHAT KILLED HARDIE?

NZ Truth, Issue 198, 3 April 1909, Page 5

WHAT KILLED HARDIE?

AN UNSOLVED CHRISTCHURCH MYSTERY. The Young Bloods and the Barmaids. ' An Open Verdict Returned.

The mystery surrounding the violent death of an old man named Andrew Douglas Hardie, suspected of being killed- tiy a motor-car on Dudley Creek-road oh the night of March 20 is still unsolved, although i some sensational facts came out at the adjourned inquest. The only motor-car on the road discovered by the police was a taxi-cab driven by Fved Cookson and containing as passengers local yoiihg bloods named William * B. Humphreys and E. Rutherford, of haughly wool | King clan at Albury, and two barmaids named Thompson and Hillscoft, who have since been sacked by the shocked licensee of the Clarendon Hotel. The taxi left town at 10.20, and was seen by a cyclist named Robert Walker at 10.40 passing Hardies house. Hardie was seen by a conductor to leave a tram car about J0.40 under the influence of liquor and walk towards his home. The taxi people state that they proceeded to New Brighton, stopped at the pier, and the two couples went on to the beach for a spiritualistic seance or a study of nature, or something. They remained half an hour and returned to Christchurch WITHOUT BUMPING INTO ANYTHING or anybody. " They arrived back at the rink stables at about 11.40. On the other hand, Noel Muggins heard a motor pass his Burwood place outwards at 10.45, and return twenty minutes later, so that if it was the taxi the seance must have taken place near Christchurch. The taxi, by the way, was not seen at New Brighton by anyone, though diligent inquiries were made. Charles Allard and Edward Richards saw the motor-car within half a mile of Hardies going towards Christchurch at a terrific speed about 11.10; William Kiddcy saw a motor-car dash past Barnes' corner on the way to Christchurch at 11.15, but couldn't distinguish its color. The question arises were there two motors on the road that night or only one ? Coroner Bishop said it was inconceivable after hearine: the evidence that there was any connection/ between the taxi nnd the fatality and it was unfortunate for the young excursionists that the details of Iheir outing had Leon laid bare to > uhlic view, but the coincidence of time vendc ed it imperative that they should state on oath that they knew n tiiin- of the possible accident. It was pro'ablc that more than one person carried Hardie to Ihe s> ot where he was found, nnd however the accident occurred, it mk'ht have been, said Mr Bishop, that there was a direct effort at conceal-m-nt.

Sul se r >uently, on the recommendation of the coroner, an open verdict of found dead was concerned.