FERNRIDGE TRAGEDY.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 15317, 13 September 1920, Page 7

FERNRIDGE TRAGEDY.

MASTBRTQN, last nirfifc. The District Cottraer (Mr Eton) held an inquest on the' ' body 'of Gavin McKenzie, who was murdered m a shocking manner on Thursday last, and on the body of Edward John Hay, the eighteen-year-old farm boy who perpetrated tho deed, at the residence of the McKenzie family, Pernridge, Masterton, on Saturday afternoon. Formal evidence was given on the lines already published. j J. Dineen, probation officer, Wellington district, said that Hay was always regarded as a bright, industrious, and honest boyj, and had given every satisfaction to employers who had him for four years previous to entering the employment of Mr Geo. McKenzie. Witness had it on reliable authority that Hay's father also committed suicide. Employers gave, Hay * n excellent character. Another wifiiess eaid lie saw Hay and the little boy playing m the paddock about 1.15 o'clock, apparently quite happy and contented. Witness waved to them and they returned his salutation. He was too far distant; to speak to them. 1 Formal evidence was also given by the police who conducted the search and discovered the bodifes m the circumstances previously reported. , t The coroner returned a verdict regarding the little boy to the effect that the deceased Gavin Geo. McKenzfß <lied from injuries received from a blow from an 1 axe delivered by one Edward William ' John Hay, tho said blow feaftling a deep wound at the back of the' Bead, and was the cause of death. He wae^killed by the deceased Hay some tinJe between 1 o'clock and 2 o'clock on toiursday, September 9, on th© property #f Iris father, George McKenzib, fanner, ftt Fernridge. The coroner found that the deceased Hay was not of normal intelligence. 1 The coroner conveyed >• 'life personal heartfelt sympathy and 'that of the whole disti'ict to the afflicted parents m connection with 1 the tragedy, Which, he said, was viewed with norroir fa- all parts of the Dominion. . | A verdict of suicide was returned m reference to Hay, the 'firing of a; shotgun attached to a bootlace causing insttantanc- . ous death. \ v j The little rfcttttt teas buried m the Masterton ceniefcery this .'afternoon. Aj large concourse followed the remains to' the grave, whete t pathetic scenes were ' witnessed. The great sympathy of the whole district was testified by the large attendance at the ftmeral.--t > re6a Assn. j