THE KIDDELL TRAGEDY.

Otago Witness, Issue 3833, 30 August 1927, Page 36

THE KIDDELL TRAGEDY.

NEWS REACHES HOME. FRIENDS ASTOUNDED. From Welsh pa]iers to hand by the mail it is clear that the news of the terrible tragedy which overtook the Kiddell family at Mount Albert, when father, mother, daughter, and son were discovered dead in their home, came as a great shock to their many friends in their home town. A Mrs Courtney, of Cardiff, with whom Mr and Mi's Kiddell and daughter had stayed prior to leaving for New Zealand to join their son, Colin, said it was almost impossible to believe the family had met such an untimely end. Mr Kiddell was a man of sound common sense. Mrs Kiddell was a jolly woman, while the daughter was usually of a cheerful disposition, although, because she had pent tier younger years in Cardiff, she was not keen on going to New Zealand, and preferred to remain with many friends she had made. Another intimate friend of the family, Mr Banjamin, of Penarth, says that Miss Lorna kiddell was a beautiful and fascinating girl, who would probably have had a briliant scholastic career but for illness. She was a keen sportswoman, and won numerous prizes for swimming, but her favourite recreation was dancing. Mr Kiddell is spoken of as one of the best known Customs officers at Folkstone. He was always of a happy and genial disposition, and a father proud of his children. The son, Colin, was a splendidly built young man, and one who should have done well in New Zealand, and the family were looking forward to meeting him, and assisting to work the farm t Mangaweka.