GHASTLY FIRE TRAGEDY
FAMILY OF FOUR DEAD
CHARRED REMAINS FOUND
AFFAIR SHROUDED IN MYSTERY
(From Our Correspondent.] OAMARU, February 27. The gold-mining district of Maerewhenua, situated about 10 miles from Duntroon, in the county of Waitaki, and about 35 miles from Oamaru, was the scene of a shocking tragedy yesterday morning when it was discovered that four persons (husband and wife and their two young children) had lost their lives in a fire which resulted in a large five-roomed wooden building being reduced to ashes, in circumstances which at present are shrouded in mystery.
The names of those who perished in the conflagration are:
Douglas Arthur Nolan, aged 30.
Anne Nolan, aged 29, wife of Douglas Nolan.
Patrick Linden Nolan, aged 7.
Anthony Nolan, aged 12 months.
The first indication of anything untoward was about 10 a.m., when a young man named Charles Adams, who was working on a neighbouring farm about three miles distant, noticed smoke billowing up from the residence occupied by the Nolan family. He realised that the house must be afire and immediately rushed off to get assistance. In company with another man named Jack Barnes he hurried to the scene of the outbreak, to find the house burning fiercely. He realised at once that nothing could be saved, as the fire had obtained a hold in practically every room and had already accounted for the front of the building.
There being no one in sight and hearing no cries, both men walked round the blazing house several times, calling out and endeavouring to ascertain if anyone was inside, but their efforts proved fruitless, and the heat became so intense that they had to keep well away. The building was of wood, and with a light north-east wind blowing, the fire swept from room to room with amazing rapidity, so that within a short space of time the whole building had been reduced to a mass of smouldering ruins.
The house was connected by telephone, but no ring was received at the nearest bureau, situated three miles away, that morning, although the line was in working order.
CHARRED REMAINS.
Information regarding the tragedy was received by the constable stationed at Duntroon, and he immediately informed the Oamaru police. On receipt of information alleging that several persons had been burned to death in a disastrous fire near Duntroon, Sergeant McGregor, accompanied by Constable M. Thyne, proceeded to the scene and immediately took charge. The ruins were still smoking, and that a tragedy had taken place was soon revealed when two bodies, charred beyond recognition, were seen lying about two yards apart. The first body was resting on the remains of a double spring mattress, and from the size of the remains it was presumed to be the husband, Douglas Nolan. The other body was lying on what had been the floor, about a yard and a-half from the door, and it was thought to be the remains of Mrs Nolan.
Further investigation resulted in the finding of the remains of another body near where an adjacent bedroom to the one occupied by Mr and Mrs Nolan had been, and a few fragments of bone ash in the wire framing of a cot in what had been the sitting room are presumed to be the remains of the baby.
A .22 rifle barrel was found just inside the door of Mr and Mrs Nolan’s bedroom, and an empty cartridge case was found on the ground about three yards from the main entrance.
Owing to the intense heat and the lack of sufficient water further investigation was impossible just then.
Mystery still surrounds the Nolan holocaust. The house was situated on a hilltop approximately 1,500 feet above sea level — the country is high in this locality — and the nearest neighbour resides three miles away. To approach the place a long climb is necessary up, a winding, tortuous road, so that the Nolan family were practically isolated in so far as road and track communication was concerned. The oldest boy had been attending school; and on Tuesday everything appeared all right. The four were in good health, while the husband, who was engaged in droving and general farm work, was working full time — and had been for some time — and had received a further fortnight’s work at Mr L. Wright’s runhold near Tokarahi, to which position he was to have gone yesterday morning.
On Tuesday evening about 7 o’clock Mr Nolan called in to see Mr James Hore, his fathcr-in-law, who lives about five miles away, and left for home about 7.45 after having informed the household that everything was all right and that all were in good health.
Nothing further was heard at seen by the Hores until about 10.30 next morning, when Arthur Hore, a brother of Mrs Nolan, noticed smoke pouring from his sister’s residence, and later saw flames belching through the roof in many parts. Another resident, about a mile farther on also noticed the fire about this time.
WELL KNOWN AND RESPECTED.
News of the tragedy soon spread to all parts of the countryside, and cast a gloom over all, as the Nolans were well known in that part of the country and were highly respected. Mrs Nolan in particular was held in very high esteem as she was a member of one of the oldest families in the district, and was known to all and sundry for her kindness. Although the husband did ordinary farm work, they were not in poor circumstances, and this is exemplified by the fact that they lived rent free, the house belonging to Mr J. Simpson, who was a close friend of Mr Nolan, the latter often doing odd jobs for him in payment for the use of the residence and the ground adjoining.
NO FURTHER LIGHT.
The tragedy is one of the worst in the history of North Otago, and although the matter was investigated yesterday afternoon until dark no further light was thrown on the circumstances causing the oubreak and the obliteration of a family of four.
So far the remains have not been identified as they were much too hot to remove yesterday, and owing to their extremely charred condition it will require a professional man to identify the sex.
A feature of the outbreak is that no one noticed the fire until 10 o’clock in the morning when it was seen almost simultaneously by at least four persons who were occupied in farm work in different parts of the surrounding countryside covering a distance of some six miles. At first it was thought that Mr and Mrs Nolan had gone for assistance to quell the fire and that the elder boy was attending school but this surmise was soon proved to be wrong when it was ascertained that Patrick had not gone to school that morning, and that the parents were nowhere to be found.
Among other things found in the debris was a candlestick resting on a tin trunk alongside the double bed on which some skeletal remains were found. The house was not connected up with electricity, and candles were used for illumination at night.
An inquest was opened before the district coroner (Mr W. H. Frith) today, and was adjourned sine die. -Evening Star, 27/2/1936.
FIRE TRAGEDY
STILL SHROUDED IN MYSTERY
POLICE INVESTIGATIONS CONTINUE
(From Our Own Correspondent.) OAM.ARU, February 28. Mystery still surrounds the Maerewhenua tragedy, in which a family of four lost their lives. The police investigations were continued yesterday, but so far no further light has been thrown on the cause of the outbreak. It has been definitely established that the fire was not seen before 10 o’clock on the morning of the outbreak. From the situation of the house the fire could have been seen for many miles around, as the surrounding country tends to slope away from the spot where the Nolan family had their residence, and although the country in this part is hilly the Nolans’ place was higher than any other house.
It has been definitely established that Douglas Nolan, the husband, was lying on his back in a double bed in the bedroom when death overtook him. He was lying in a position nearest to the door, so that to reach the position Mrs Nolan was found in she would have had to step over her husband. An examination of the remains of Mrs Nolan discloses that the body was lying partly on the left side, with the left leg flexed, on the floor near the doorway. The infants were both in bed, but the bodies were so completely burned as to make identification impossible. There is no reason to doubt, however, that they are those of the Nolan children.
Further disclosures were made yesterday, when a spent cartridge shell was extracted from the breach of the rifle found just inside the doorway. The other cartridge shell found on the day of the disaster was picked up from the gravel outside the building about 3yds from the main front entrance and opposite the window of the bedroom occupied by Mr and Mrs Nolan. In a tin box were found what appeared to be the ashes of a Post Office savings book and also a roll of bank notes. A small home savings bank was also recovered from the debris.
From the investigations carried out yesterday it seems that the kitchen fire had not been lighted on Wednesday morning. No evidence is forthcoming as to the possible cause of the fire.
The police are engaged in sifting the debris in an endeavour to find some clue to the tragedy, which at present remains a mystery. -Evening Star, 28/2/1936.
MAEREWHENUA TRAGEDY
POST-MORTEM EXAMINATION
BULLET WOUNDS IN THREE VICTIMS
It is understood that further police investigation into the tragedy at Maerewhenua indicates that Mr Arthur Douglas Nolan and the two children suffered serious if not fatal wounds before the fire occurred. The whole of yesterday was occupied in a post-mortem examination of the remains at the Oamaru morgue, the investigation being carried out by Sergeant McGregor, Detective G. M. Thomas, of Timaru, who came to Oamaru yesterday morning, and Dr R. S. J. Fitzgerald.
It is understood that in the ease of Mr Nolan the post mortem disclosed that a wound of considerable size had been inflicted in the chest, causing extensive bleeding in the chest cavity, and it is also understood that similar injuries were found on the bodies of the boy, aged seven years, and the baby, aged 12 months. These injuries, it is understood, would be consistent with bullet wounds. In the case of Mrs Nolan the body was so badly incinerated that it has been found impossible to ascertain if any injury had been suffered prior to the body being consumed by the fire. The burial of the remains of the four victims will take place this afternoon at the Duntroon Cemetery.
Under the Coroner's Amendment Act. 1930, no inquest can be held in the circumstances surrounding this tragedy until permission has been given by the Attorney-general to the coroner to make a report on the tragedy.
The police investigations are to be continued and will, no doubt, include further searching at the scene of the tragedy, and possibly it may be some time before an inquest will be held. -Otago Daily Times, 29/2/1936.
FAMILY OBLITERATED
MAEREWHENUA FIRE TRAGEDY
THE INQUEST OPENED
MEDICAL EVIDENCE OF BULLET WOUNDS
[From Our Correspondent.] OAMARU, May 29. After a lapse of some months, during which time an exhaustive investigation was carried out by the Police Department, the inquest was commenced to-day before Mr W. H. Frith (coroner) touching the circumstances surrounding the obliteration of a family of four, the remains of whom were found amongst the smouldering ruins of their home at Maerewhenua on February 26 in circumstances which were shrouded in mystery. The names of the deceased were: —
Arthur Douglas Nolan, the husband. Thelma Mabel Nolan, the wife. Linden Partick Nolan, aged seven. Anthony Travis Nolan, aged 12 months.
On February 26 the goldmining district of Maerewhenua was shocked at the news that the Nolan family had perished in a disastrous fire which had razed their home to the ground, but after investigation it was soon revealed that there were mysterious aspects of the case which made the tragedy one of the worst in the history of New Zealand.
Sergeant McGregor appeared for the police, and Mr H. J. S. Grater for the relatives of the deceased.
Dr R. S. J. Fitzgerald said he proceeded to Maerewhenua and inspected the remains of the Nolan family. On the site of the front right bedroom were the remains of two bodies. Lying on a wire mattress were the charred remains of one body. Only the bones of the upper arms were intact, and these suggested those of an adult woman. Directly behind this room was another wire mattress, reposing on which was the charred body of a child, lying on its left side, curled up as if asleep. He considered the age between seven and eight years. In the left front room were the remains of an infant on a wire mattress. At the request of the police he conducted a post mortem on the remains found. The examination of the body that was thought to be Douglas Nolan’s revealed that the pleural cavity was completely filled with blood clot. There were also three holes in the posterior wall of the left thorax. The upper hole was between the ribs. The middle hole revealed three charred broken ribs. It was impossible to say whether these holes were caused by a wound or were the result of burning. There was no wound of the heart that could be detected, but there was a large quantity of blood clot in the anterior mediastinum (the space between the main vessels of the heart and the chest wall). On examining the main vessels from the heart there was disclosed a large perforating wound of the aorta. There was also a wound of the posterior wall directly opposite. He was unable to find any foreign body in the blood clot or in the chest wall.
In witness’s opinion death was caused by severe internal hemorrhage as the result of a wound of the aorta, and death must have occurred in a few moments. The wound was consistent with a bullet wound.
An examination of the body thought to be that of Mabel Nolan was made, but the remains were so destroyed that it was impossible to state the cause of death, other than that of incineration. In the body thought to be that of Lindon Nolan, the left pleural cavity was found to be full of blood clot, showing that there had been extensive haemorrhage. This disclosure suggested a wound of the heart, but no foreign body was discovered. In his opinion death was due to a severe internal injury to the left lung.
The remains of the infant body were completely incinerated, except for a small part of the abdomen. The pericardial cavity was full of blood clot, indicating a severe wound to the left lung. A wound in the stomach was found, and was consistent with having been made by a rifle bullet of .22 calibre. Death must have been instantaneous.
William James Ryan, dental surgeon, said he examined the exhibits of teeth taken from the remains found, which were consistent with the ages of the four members of the Nolan family.
EVIDENCE ON THE FIRE.
Charles Douglas Adams, farmer, residing at Maerewhenua Post Office, said he was mustering sheep two miles distant from the Nolan homestead on the morning of the tragedy. About 10 o’clock he noticed dense black smoke issuing from the house, and immediately galloped to the scene. On arrival he made a search for the occupants, but was unsuccessful. The whole of the house was on fire except the outhouses. R. Simpson and Mr and Mrs James Hore, parents of Mrs Nolan, arrived, and a further search was made. Witness first noticed a body when the police arrived at 12.15 p.m. Prior to the fire he did not see anyone about the road or hills surrounding the Nolan house. Witness had known Nolan for several years, and knew him to be an agreeable person without enemies in the district. Both husband and wife appeared to get on well together and were fond of the family.
James Simpson, farmer, of Tokarahi, said he owned the house in which the Nolan family lived rent free. Witness had known the family for many years, and corroborated the evidence of the previous witness as to their popularity in the district. Noland had a rifle, which Mrs Nolan used to shoot rabbits with during her husband’s absence. The window in the bedroom occupied by the husband and wife was left open at night, especially when the husband was at home. The lighting used was a kerosene lamp, but in both kitchen and bedroom occupied by the Nolans candles were used. He had known Mrs Nolan all her life, and knew her to be of an amiable disposition. She was fond of her husband and family. Nolan himself was a good-tempered man of witty disposition, a good worker, and reliable, always temperate in his habits.
Robert Simpson, brother of the previous witness, gave corroborative evidence.
James Joseph Hore said he was the father of Mrs Nolan, and knew the habits of both very well. They usually arose at 6.30 a.m., and they got on well together. Witness did not know of them having any serious disagreements. The youngest child had been off colour, and not thriving, but he did not think Mrs Nolan was worried or depressed over the matter. Witness had spoken to his daughter over the telephone the day before the tragedy, when she appeared quiet cheery. That same night the husband called at witness s house on his way home from work, and appeared in happy mood. Witness stated that Mrs Nolan was in the habit of using her husband’s rifle for shooting rabbits, and was a very good shot. He recollected that his daughter had not been feeling too well, but it had since occurred to him that perhaps she had been concealing her state of health to obviate worry. After due consideration he did not consider that any outsider was responsible for the tragedy.
If Mabel had done it her brain must have snapped during the night, stated witness.
He admitted that Mrs Nolan was at times concerned about her baby, but he did not think the tragedy was premeditated.
William Brash Hutchison gave evidence as to Nolan’s character and worth as a worker. Witness said Nolan did not turn up at his place on the morning of the occurrence, where mustering operations were being carried out, but witness thought he must have been detained. About 9 o’clock he noticed a thin column of smoke issuing from the Nolan house, but did not attach any importance to it, as he thought they were burning rubbish. Just before 10 o’clock he rang up Hore, and inquired about the absence of Nolan, but received no satisfaction. His attention was then drawn to the Nolan house, from which smoke was rising. Witness had last heard from Nolan the previous evening, when he was in good health and spirits.
BROTHER’S VIEW.
William Arthur James Hore, brother of the deceased woman, said he had no idea his sister was ill until a few weeks before the tragedy. She then appeared run down, nervous, and slightly depressed, and he thought the loneliness was affecting her. The Nolans, to his knowledge, did not have any enemies, and were well liked.
Taking the whole of the circumstances into consideration, witness was of opinion that his sister suffered from nerves to such an extent that it got the better of her, and she destroyed her husband and children, and probably herself. He did not think, however, that the deed was premeditated.
Evidence as to Mrs Nolan’s ill-health and apparent depressed condition was given by Elizabeth Ailson Hore, mother of the deceased woman, and was corroborated by other witnesses.
There was refusal of a witness, Annie Spillane, to submit her evidence as taken by Detective Thomas. She contended that the evidence she had given the police had been in the strictest confidence, and refused to read her statement.
The Coroner said he was surprised that witness, who was a school teacher, should show such mentality. Other witnesses had attempted to retract parts of their statements, and he did not like the idea of all this tittle-tattle. Statements made should be adhered to.
Witness, on the advice of counsel, then decided to read her evidence, which stated, in effect, that Mrs Nolan was a highly-strung woman, and was much concerned over the health of the two children. She apparently did not like living in Simpson’s house, which was isolated. Mrs Nolan had expressed the hope of eventually being able to leave the district, and was, prior to the tragedy, very depressed at times. -Evening Star, 29/5/1936.
THREE DEATHS BY SHOOTING
TRAGEDY NEAR OAMARU
CORONER’S FINDING AT INQUEST
(PRESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.) OAMARU, May 30. An inquest into the Maerewhenua tragedy on February 26, when Arthur Douglas Nolan, Thelma Mabel Nolan, and two children, Lindon Patrick Nolan and Anthony Francis Nolan, were found incinerated in the remains of a house, was held yesterday at Oamaru.
Dr. Fitzgerald described the positions of the bodies when found in a front bedroom. There were the charred remains of a man’s body on a wire mattress, the remains of a female adult on the ground. In another room were the remains of two children. In witness’s opinion the man’s death was caused by an injury to the heart consistent with a bullet wound. The children had wounds consistent with bullet wounds. The woman’s body was too badly incinerated to indicate the cause of death. Charles Douglas Adams, a farmer, said he saw the fire, but he arrived too late to enter the house. Nolan was an agreeable man and got on well with his wife.
Several witnesses testified to the good relations of the couple.
James Joseph Hore, father of Mrs Nolan, said his daughter had not been very well. If she had been responsible for the tragedy her brain must have failed during the night. He was sure that it was not premeditated.
William Brash Hutchison said that Nolan was a very decent type of man and a cheery worker.
George Roland Hore said his sister appeared to be worrying about the baby’s health when he saw her six weeks before the tragedy.
Elizabeth Alison Here said that Mrs Nolan had been run down in health.
“Suffered from Nerves”
William Arthur James Hore said that his sister suffered from nerves, and he thought this had got the better of her and that she had killed her husband, her children, and herself. If this was so, witness was sure her action was unpremeditated.
Other witnesses said that Mrs Nolan had not been well and had worried about the children’s health.
Detective Ernest Thomas said that investigations failed to reveal the cause of the deaths. The Nolans were very popular and had not a single enemy.
Sergeant McGregor said that when the bodies were found the barrel of a repeating rifle was found near the woman’s body. There was no trace of any strangers in the district at the time of the tragedy.
In returning a verdict that the deaths of Nolan and the children were due to bullet wounds, the coroner (Mr W. Frith) said that a thorough and conscientious investigation had been made by the police. He was convinced that no outside person was connected with the affair. The bodies were so badly incinerated that identification was very uncertain, but he had no doubt that they were the remains of Mr and Mrs Nolan and their two children. Owing to the body of Mrs Nolan being so badly charred it was impossible to state the cause of her death. There was no doubt that the rifle found in the ruins was the one used.
The father of Mrs Nolan, Mr J. J. Hore, expressed the relatives’ appreciation of the thoroughness of the police investigation. -Press, 1/6/1936.
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