PIHA MYSTERY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 56, 8 March 1939, Page 8

PIHA MYSTERY

BONES FOUND IN ASHES POLICE INVESTIGATIONS AUSTRALIAN DETECTIVE COMING SYDNEY, March 7. The Commissioner of Police, Mr. J. Mackay, has decided to send De-tective-Sergeant Alford to New Zealand to assist in unravelling the mystery of the remains found in lhe bach at Fiha following the fire early in the morning of February 12. Detective-Sergeant Alford knew Mr. Gordon McKay, the 43-year-old Australian merchant, whose remains are believed to be those found. It is stated that the insurances on Mr. McKay total £50,000. There were no further developments in the Auckland police inquiries into lhe fire. The Auckland police authorities arc awaiting reports of the pathological examination of a small quantity of charred bones recovered from the ruins of the building. Before Dr. W. Gilmou’. pathologist at the Auckland Hospital, can furnish a comprehensive report to the police certain laboratory work remains to be done, although it. is understood that the opinion has been formed that the remains are human. Associated with Dr. Gilmour in the pathological examination of the remains is Mr. Kenneth MacCormick, well-known Auckland surgeon. Mr. MacCormick has had considerable experience in bone surgery. One theory is that, unknown to his friend. Mr. J. A. Talbot. Mr. McKay escaped from the fire and is wandering about the country, suffering from loss of memory. The question confronting the police is: If the remains, which comprise a four-inch piece of skull with a small portion of flesh attached, a section of the spine and small parts of bones, are not those of McKay, whose are they? Did Shock Affect Memory? On the morning of Saturday, February 11, McKay had several teeth

extracted, and that evening he and his fellow Australian, Mr. Talbot, went to Piha, so that, as Mr. Talbot told the coroner when the inquest was formally opened, McKay could recuperate. * It is considered in some quarters that the combined shock of having those teeth extracted and waking to find the bach on fire prompted him to leave hurriedly in the darkness; that the shock affected [his memory. The finding of some bones, and a [small piece of skull might be fortuitous. It remains for Dr. W. Gilmour. pathologist at the Auckland Hospital, to tell the coroner, if he can, whether the bones were “green" or whether they belonged to a person who had been dead some time. The bones found among the debris of the bach may have been there for some time, although the presence of a piece of flesh upon the section of skull suggests otherwise. Duration of Fire. According to available information, the bach caught fire at some time between one and half-past one o’clock

in the morning of February 12. and the floor appears tn have collapsed ' at about two o'clock. A point at issu c is said to ho that if that were so. it j might be unlikely, even if McKay’s , body were enclosed in embers and [smouldering wood a foot in depth. that his body would bo entirely consumed. Even with the forced draught of a crematorium it takes from one ! and a-quarter to one and a-hal! [hours for a body to bo reduced to ashes. [ Where, then, is -McKay? Report; from Sydney that, he is nn his way tn America arc ridiculed by the Auc.< land police. They are convinced that lif alive he is in the Dominion. Since [they began their inquiries at. the conquest of three Australian insurant companies, who hold aggregate covcis of £50,000 upon his life, they ha\-• checked every passenger and every i member of Ihe crews of ships which ! have left New Zealand between February 12 and now. Inquest Decisions. I 11 was stated al Auckland a feu 'days ago that, although the Sydne? police were co-operating fully with the New Zealand police, it seemed futile to suggest that an Australian detective could offer much assistance over here. The position with the case is that Dr. Gilmour will submit the report of his laboratory examinations to jho coroner. He. in consultation with |the police, will decide the date upon [which lhe adjourned inquest proceedjings shall hr held. It is understood

j that upon Dr. Gilmour’s findings, (which will not be made public until [the day of the inquest, may rest lhe [course of action to be decided by the [police In the immediate future.