1922 SEA MYSTERY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17832, 28 April 1926, Page 9

1922 SEA MYSTERY.

SUIT OVER ESTATE. A report in a London paper of February 26 said: — The case in which a woman, thought .to have been drowned at Ilfracombe in 1922, was afterwards (it was alleged) identified and arrested in New Zealand, was mentioned before Lord Merrivale in the Probate Court to-day. The woman- Susannah Bevan, alias Trixie Finch- lias been arrested in Canterbury on a charge of defrauding an insurance company of nearly £3OOO. Lord Merrivale was told to-day that the Home Office had received a telegram stating that the woman admitted her identity. The suit was brought by the Prudential Insurance Company, who asked to have revoked letters of administration in the estate of Mrs Bevan, formerly of Cwymllynfell, Swansea, who was presumed by the Court to be deceased on November 29, 1922, on the application of Mr David Harris Bowen, solicitor, of Gorcimon, Glamorgan, as executor. MISSED AFTER BATHING. The date of the alleged death was June 29, 1922. Mr Beddington, for the Prudential, said it appeared that Mrs Bevan was staying at Ilfracombe for the purpose of sea bathing. In accordance with her usual custom, she went out on June 29, 1922. She was not seen again, although her clothes were found on the beach. Mrs Bevan left a will proved in March, 1922, and her estate consisted of assets £350 and life insurance policies—one in the Eagle Star and British Dominions Company for £2OOO and another in the Prudential Insurance Company £2BOO. Mr Bowen, having proved the will, the Eagle Company refused to pa>', and an action brought against them was discontinued. The Prudential Company paid £2BBI 13s 6d. There was no suggestion against the conduct of Mr Bowen. The eldest son of Mrs Bevan was killed in a motor accident, and for various reasons £2227 was paid into Chancery. It now appeared from affidavits that Mrs Bevan was not dead. A PHOTOGRAPH. On June. 29, 1922, the day she was 1 supposed to have been drowned, a woman giving the name of Trixie Finch arrived at the Girls’ Friendly Society’s lodge. Exeter. A photograph of Mrs Bevan, who had applied for a passport to South Africa, had been identified by the secretary of the society as being the photograph of the woman, Trixie Finch. In July, 1922, she obtained a situation as cook with Major Studdv at Rawcliffe, Devon, and explained her shortage of clothing by saying that she had lost it on the journey from London. Afterwards she obtained situations at Sidmouth and Boreham Wood, Herts, and her photograph was identified again. Later she went out to New Zealand, giving her age as thirty-six. His Lordship: Is there any evidence of a person who knew Susafnnah Bevan and who has identified the letter produced and the photograph produced.? Mr Beddington: There is no affidavit identifying the handwriting. The Judge: The police officer makes an affidavit only to the best of his knowledge and belief. Mr Beddington said there was a telegram to the Home Office saying that Susannah Bevan admitted identitj-.

The Judge: It seems to me that these grave questions of fact will be set at rest when the woman, said to be the presumed deceased, arrives—if she arrives—in custody to await her trial. Mr Bayford (for Mr Bowen): I do not want to say anything which might prejudice subsequent proceedings.. At the present time the estate, or what, is left of it, is being preserved through the action of Mr Bowen. If thus woman is alive, then Mr Bowen was entirely deceived. The Judge remarked that he saw that arrangements had been made for the woman to lie brought home to answer a charge of conspiracy. When was she expected ? Mr Beddington: I do not know. The application -was held over.