RICCARTON TRAGEDY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 77, Issue 155, 3 July 1934, Page 8

RICCARTON TRAGEDY

INQUEST CONTINUED PARTY IN THE OFFICE RUSSELL’S EVIDENCE [ Per Press Association. ) CHRISTCHURCH, July 2. The inquest ii to the death of Donah Fraser, licensee of the Riccarton Race course Hotel, who was shot dead in be< on Novemlzer 17, was resumed thi morning before the coroner (Mr Mosley). Edward Loftus Russell, a butcher, o Yaldhurst Road, single, who had Ireei one of the party at the hotel on th. night of November 16, gave evident concerning his acquaintance with th Frasers for the past three years. L August, 1932, he went with them on i visit to Australia with the horse Silve Ring. On his return he was frequent!; a visitor to the Racecourse HotelRussell continuing, said that h had tea at the hotel on November U and later went into the office wit! Mrs. Fraser and Mrs. Wood, remainin; in the office till 10.30. They all had < few drinks in the office. He had ; shandy and the women had whisky Mr. Fraser brought them. A mai named Walsh also came in and shouted At one stagt the two women and wit r.ess went upstairs to the room when Joyce Fraser was playing the piano Thev returned to the office in a fev minutes. That was before 9 o’clock Later a Mrs. Thompson called. Sh< said: “I’m dry. What with partie over Red Shadow’s win and othc things. I’ve had a big week- They hasome more drinks, all shouting in turn Mrs. Fraser obtained most of llu drinks. They had champagne at 10.3'1 Fraser was then pretty well drunk. Witness said that w’ren Fraser wa han-ling round the champagne tn tin partv in the office he fell down. Late the partv had more drinks in the rec?s: near the bar. Witness left for hom< close on midnight. Mrs. Pho-.-pson ae companied him out of the back door Thev got on their bi“v< l< s. \\ itne went two yards outside the gate an< th°n decided to return tn the hotel. Mr Thoi.sn.-on went on. He went in for : sandwich. An 1 where did you g • ? -Straight the kitchen. \TI on vou v mt in, wh » was there?Wlmt time would that bo?—lhmm about tw-'lve. I re. kon. 1 left the hote finally about 12. Are vou quite po.-iUvc that Wilson Mrs. Fraser, and .•<> <e were 'in tin kitchen?—Yes- Wilson was r’lttmsome meat. lie cut me a couple o While thcie. did you see Fraser ?- lie camo i i while I was there, he wa; \ cry drunk. We have been told by other wit nesses that Joyce Fraser’s last appear anee downstairs was at 10 o’clock. Il the other witnesses hava sworn to tha o:i oath would you say that was true —lt can’t be very true. Do you swear on your oath the' round about midnight when you let: the hotel you saw Joyce in me kit Did vou go ou; the same way as be fore?—Yes. Where did you go then?—l got on nix bike and went straight home, as straight as the road would take me. What do you mean by that?—l would go to Coach corner, ’hen up Yald hurst Road and homeBefore you left the hotel finally did anyone see you leave*—No. only those in the kitchen. And you went as straight as the road would take you home? —A’es. When you got home could you teli us what time it was? —By the clock it was 12.20, and ne it dav they said the clock was ten minutes fast. So that you got home at about 12. HF Yes. Russell stated that Fraser wavery drunk at about midnight- Russell thought that it would have taken Fraser all his time that night to get ur Ihe stairs tn bed. Witness also state-! that Joyce Fraser, the daughter, was in the kitchen of the hotel at about midnight. He remembered Joyce Fraset passing a remark something like. “We’ve got him where we want him now.” Witness was not sure of the exact words. After the polb-e examination Mr. Thomas asked witness: You went back for a sandwich because you were hungry?—A bit pecky. John Willon. porter at the Racecourse Hotel, was the next witness, single, aged 48. He went to work for Fraser in August, 1933. and was there at the time of Fraser’s death. He occupied a detached room at the rear of the hotelIt wa.s his custom to have his meals in the kitchen with the family and H ggs. Witness then proceeded to describe the events of the night of November 1(5 as far as he recalled them. The lunch adjournment was taken at 1 o’clock. After lunch the examination of John Wilson, porter at the hotel, was continued. Witness said that Welch left first of the party at about eight o'clock. Mrs. Wc-od was next at about a-quarter to ten. He was suis ihe time was not after eleven o ’clock, as other witnesses had state-’- Mrs. Thompson went before eleven o’clock. Mis. Thompson’s condition was all right, bhe seemed fit to ride her bicycle home. Russell saw her out to the road, but came back a minute or two afterwards into the kitchen. He wanted a sandwich, and witness prepared one and gave it to him. He was then alone with witness in the kitchen. Fraser and Mrs. Fraser were in the office. A few minutes later witness heard and saw Mrs. Fraser 1 Tying to help Fraser upstairs to bed. Witness went to help her. and Fraser said ho wanted a sandwich, and came into the kitchen and had some. Russell came into the kitchen and shouted. There were two rounds of drinks, but Fraser aid not take tht second one. Joyce Fraser was not there. Russell left the hotel soon #>fierwaids. After he left Fraser and Mrs Fraser went into the bar. Witness then went to bed. The tima was about ?.-yuarter past eleven. The whole party had then left the hotel. Russell wag prettv merry when he left, but witness could not say he was drunk. It was not true that Fraser was “properly diunk.” He was not in his proper sober senses, but not helpIjsslv drunk. When reminded of his statement to the pciicc: ‘‘The only one who appeared to me to be porperly drunk was Fiasc* <. hart never seen him in such a drunken condition before,’’ witness said h-s statement to the pob»*e wns n .^ D t and he would Hand by it Witness said he was sure he did not assist in taking Fraser upstairs that