JOAN SMITH MYSTERY.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 8, 11 January 1927, Page 7

JOAN SMITH MYSTERY.

Suspicious Statements Made by Accused. "NO MASKS OF VIOLENCE." (Received 12.30 p.m.) SYDNEY, January 11. i At the inquest on Joan Smith, her father gave evidence that he had had frequently to find fault with Hughes, who was at present in custody, and had finally been compelled to discharge him. He did not tell the police why he discharged Hughes, but told them he suspected the lad of murder. Dorothy Schmidt, employed at another station where Hughes was working, gave evidence that she told the accused of the finding of the girl's body, and Hughes replied that she had been buried too long to see any marks of violence. Witness had not referred to any marks, the suggestion coming first from Hughes. Joan bmith. a young girl, and daughter of a runholders, was missing for many months, and the most exhaustive search failed to reveal her whereabouts. She was ultimately discovered partially buried on her father's farm, and Hughes, a vouth. was arrested. He stated that Joan Smith sustained a fall one day while out riding with him. As she lay for a-quarter of an hour, apparently dead, he became alarmed and dug a hole and buried her in it, presuming she was dead.