MURDER AND SUICIDE.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume L, Issue 16496, 31 July 1924, Page 5

MURDER AND SUICIDE.

A COUNTRY TRAGEDY.

EXTRAORDINARY LETTER

(Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) (Received July 31, 11.15 a.m.) LONDON, July 30. At the resumed inquest on William Holmes and George Ivay, the former of whom suicided after shooting Kay dead in the street at Rotherhithe last week, averdict was returned that Holmes murdered Kay, then committed suicide while of unsound mind. It was believed at the time both were in love with the same schoolmistress.

At the inquest the police produced a remarkable letter in which Holmes told a Miss Frankise: “When wou receive this' you will be free from a scoundrel who is ruining your life. He will be desfd and you free and young enough to start life afresh. I have told l Kay plainly he shall do not as be likes with you, or I will kill him. Kay came to you for only comfort in a lonely life. You became friendly with Mrs Kay while you were stealing her man. lam endeavoring to give you a fresh start. You are bound to be dragged in. It was better to think of you in iny : arms than lying to shield a beastly married man. You Will give evidence at the inquest. Content yourself with denying there was any harm in the friendship. Give up reading Wells. Keep clear of married men. Get rid of the love >of a theatrical life and return to your motto: pure, free and unabashed. Do not translate it shameless.”

Miss Frankise gave evidence that she joined the school in 1921 and became friendly with both men. She went out walks and to theatres with Holmes, who twice proposed to her. She refused. She had never been engaged. Her relations with Kay were ordinary frienships of colleagues. There was -never the least impropriety. The headmaster of deceased’s school gave evidence that Kay, after six weeks’ illness in 1923, declared Holmes had tried! to poison him with strychnine, and had admitted he had made a mess of 'it and threatened a better job next time.