THE KAIMATA TRAGEDY.

Otago Witness, Issue 3102, 27 August 1913, Page 13

THE KAIMATA TRAGEDY.

INQUEST ON THE VICTIMS. INGLEWOOD, August 21. The inquest on the remains of the victims of the recent Kaimata tragedy began to-day before Mr Kenrick, coroner. E. Taylor, carpenter, gave evidence of alterations to the house after he had purchased it from Virgin. Sergeant Haddrell said he had visited .the scene in company with other police, and described the positions and the remains of the victims, which Dr Nutting pronounced to bo those of two males and a female. Virgin slept in his house the same night, and was still missing. Although searching inquiry had been made, thev had failed to find a trace of him. F. Doughty gave evidence that Frank Smith proceeded to Warea on Monday, August 11, to remove the furniture of Julian to Kaimata with a lorry and five horses. Witness saw him back at the Express Company’s yard at New Plymouth on the Vv edneeday following. He then said lie was going to Kaimata with the furniture, and witness had not seen him since. The following day witness went to Kaimata for the team and wagon, which was partly loaded with the furniture he delivered at Virgin’s. The lorry and horses were the ones Smith was driving the previous day. Witness recognised a photograph produced as that of Smith. Vernon Edward Julian, the lad who escaped from the bmming building, said he knew the man Virgin. He first saw him when he came to Warea a month ago to see his father and look at the farm. Witness knew from his father that he was going to leave the farm at Warea and go to Virgin’s at Kaimata. His father and Virgin appeared to be on good terms. Witness remembered Monday, the 11th. A man came to remove his father’s goods, and during a conversation said his name was Frank. His father’s furniture was loaded and taken away next day. ' Witness’s sister Dorothy and himself started to take the cattle to Kaimata. i They went to Oakura that night, and arrived at Kaimata the next evening. ! They saw “ Frank ” at Kaimata with the furniture. They reached the house at | Kaimata about 7 o’clock, when his sister Gladys, his father, the driver, and Virgin ] were there. Virgin, ,the driver, and Gladys had had tea before they arrived, and Dorothy, his father, and himself had tea together afterwards. Virgin left the premises about five minutes after they ; arrived, and returned about half an hour I later. During the evening his sister * Gladys played the piano and Dorothy ■ sang. His father assisted Virgin to make 1 a case for Virgin’s goods. They were talking together, and appeared to bo good friends. Witness went to bed about half- i past 8. He slept in the dining-room. His lather and “ Frank ” occupied the same room. There was a sofa between them. \ When the light was out the room was not in total darkness. Witness saw his father and “Frank” go to bed. He was awakened in the night by hearing his two sisters screaming and singing out for dad. A little while after a man walked into the room, went to his father's bed, and struck something at the head of the bed, but witness aid not know what. After the blow witness heard a voice say, “ I’ll get up,” “ I’ll get up.” The voice was not Ins father’s. Another blow was struck after the voice called out, and then there was silence. Witness crawled under the sofa. He did not feel any blow. The man came and felt all over where witness had been lying. While under the sofa witness heard a gurgling noise. The man went into the kitchen, and witness crawled from under the sofa and tried to rouse his father. He could get no answer, so he shook his father. There was someone else in the bed. Witness knew it was the driver. There was blood on the floor and on his father’s face. Witness got some on his arm and leg. When he failed to rouse his father he ran out of the room and on to the verandah. He did not notice any light anywhere till he was outside, when he saw a light like a candle in the kitchen. He then ran to some trees and pulled off his white shirt to prevent the man from seeing and following him. He stayed a few seconds listening, and then ran down the track to the road. When half-way along the road to Death’s house he saw a blaze in the room where lie had slept. He went to Death’s place and told him. Five minutes afterwards his sister Dorothy arrived at Death’s. Then he discovered for the first time that he was hurt over the right eye and on the back of his hand. Witness was sure he did not get the bruises after leaving the house. He could see it was a man in the room, but he was unable to identify the man as Virgin. August 22. The inquest in connection with the Kaimata tragedy was continued to-day. Dorothy Julian, the girl who. escaped from the*building, corroborated the statements of her brother regarding the early part of the evening. Witness said she and her sister were awakened by the door striking the bed. Virgin was looking at them. Gladys said, What you want, Dad ?” Virgin then started hitting her on the head with a piece of wood. Witness was quite certain in her identification of Virgin who, she said, seemed excited when in her room. Witness then described her escape and flight, which was as previously reported. The Coroner returned the following verdict :—(1) That Edward Julian, Gladys Julian, and Frank Smith were murdered at 3 a.m. on the 14th inst (2) That there is not sufficient evidence as to whether they died from the effects of blows or whether they were burnt while unconscious. (3) That the blows were administered by Frederick John Virgin, and the evidence indicates that he wilfully set fire to the house. (4) The evidence tends to show that Virgin suddenly lost his reason through worry and want of sleep.