HENLEY TRAGEDY

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIII, Issue 20671, 9 March 1937, Page 5

HENLEY TRAGEDY

ONE VICTIM IDENTIFIED By Te» - Pres? Association DUNEDIN, March 8. One of the victims of the Henley fire tragedy has been identified as James Reid, about 55, farm labourer, believed to belong to Milton. His companion, as yet unidentified, is described as between 50 and 60, of stout build, wearing a fairly good light grey suit. He was of fair complexion, with a heavy moustache and was a stranger to the district. Reid was given permission by a Henley storekeeper to occupy this dilapidated old home over the weekend. They were seen to enter about 5.30 on Saturday evening, when Reid was carrying a sugar bag. The fire was first seen by Mr James Stuart Dickson, farmer, about 9 p.m. when the whole place was a mass of flames. He saw clearly Reid’s body in the front room, but could not get near, indeed it was not till 1 o’clock in the morning that Constable Southgate was able to enter in the front room. Where Reid lay straw bales had been stored. The other man lay just outside the door of the room. Both were badly charred.