MISSING MAN SOUGHT

Taranaki Daily News, 15 October 1934, Page 7

MISSING MAN SOUGHT

TRAGEDY AT RANGATOTO THOROUGH POLICE INVESTIGATION. CONSTABLE’S NARROW ESCAPE. QUESTION OF DAVENPORT ESTATE. By Telegraph—Press Association. Te Kuiti, Oct. 13. There is no further development in the Rangitoto tragedy and there is no sign of the missing Maori Henare Hona. The police have started to make a thorough search of the surrounding country for the missing man. Constable Muir while taking stores to the police camp had a narrow escape when a huge slip came down about a chain from the car. The stores were taken over the hill-top and transferred to another car on the other side of the slip. A preliminary inquest into the deaths of Mr. and Mrs. G. M. Davenport, and Albert Davenport, one of the sons, was held yesterday, when evidence of identification was given and the inquiry was adjourned sine die. The funeral of the four victims was held yesterday afternoon, and was the largest ever seen at Te Kuiti. The Davenports owned 2000 acres of freehold and 1000 acres of native leasehold. Of this area 1700 acres were cleared. The house was insured in the National office for £lOOO. It is not known definitely whether the contents were insured.

An interesting legal point is likely to arise as to who is now the owner of the Davenport property. Mr, G. M. Davenport left a will bequeathing his estate to his wife and sons. Albert died on Tuesday evening. Edward, the only surviving son, became the owner. When Edward died without leaving a will last evening, no immediate relative remained. The other relatives who may be concerned are an aunt of Edward and several cousins.

A ruling of the Supreme Court will probably be'necessary to decide the issue. One thing is fairly certain, and that is that the Government will receive two lots of death duties, one from the estate of Mr. G. M. Davenport and one from the estate of Mr. Edward Davenport, who became the owner on his father’s death.