MAN AT GATE?

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 138, 12 June 1936, Page 10

MAN AT GATE?

SHOOTING MYSTERY. N. AUCKLAND MURDER MAIL CARRIER'S STORY. POLICE REINFORCEMENTS. (Br Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) WHANGAREI, this day. A wide net is being cast by the police in their search for the murderer of Ernest Severin Nelson, the prosperous farmer of Waihou Valley, who was shot in the back when walking up the drive on his property on Tuesday night.

Mr. Jack Shapland, who runs the triweekly rural delivery between Okaihou and Mangamukn. told a "Star"' representative last aiight that he was certain that on the evening of the murder there were two persons waiting nt Mr. Nelson's gate to collect the mail. One man, he said, actually took the mail and the other, whom he believed to be Mr. Kelson, stood some distance back from the road.

The statement that a second man was present does not fit in with the previous one that Mr. Kelson went to the gate alone. The question now arises: Where did the second man come from? When Mr. Shapland's statement was referred to Inspector O'PTara, who is in charge of the police investigations, this morning, the officer said that the police did not attach any importance to it. Guns and Cartridges. One of the two guns which had been taken possession of by the police is apparently that purchased at Kaikohc on May 27 last by Mr. and Mrs. Nelson. Both Mrs. Nelson and Mrs. Rawiri state that the firearm was taken to Rawiri's house, and that Mr. Nelson had intended to collect it later, but had not done so. A closed season is being observed in the Bay of Islands acclimatisation district and Mr. Rawiri. it is stated, used the,dead man's gun on several occasions for shooting rabbits. He had not been out with it for a week prior to June 9. On May 27 Nelson also bought a box of cartridges, which were left at Rawiri's place with the gun.

The other gun which was taken possession of by the police from Rawiri's place had * beeu in his possession for many years, having been given to him by liis father. On the night of the murder Mr. and Mrs. Rawiri and Mrs. Nelson were at the Rangiahua Hotel. Mr. Rawiri has no knowledge of either of the firearm? being taken from his place on the night of the crime. No Will Made. It is believed that after his marriage Mr. Nelson did not draw up a new will, and consequently he is regarded to have died intestate. Mr. O'Donogliue, the District Public Trustee, visited the farm yesterday and made arrangements for the administration of the estate, which is a verv valuable one. Mr. J. E. White, who owns the property on the other side of the road, is supervising the farm temporarily for the Public Trustee. A party of four additional police, comprising Detective-Sergeant Walsh, Detective Slater and two constables, has arrived from Auckland, bringing the total number of police searchers to 12. This morning one party, armed with slashers and spades, is cutting rushes and making a general search of the drive where the" body was discovered and nearbv ground. Another party went? in the "direction of Rangiahua, where further investigations are being made. Police Go North. To reinforce the police already in the North in connection with the murder of Mr. E, S. Nelson, of Waihou Valley, Detective-Sergeant J. Walsh, Detective W. Slater and a party of five constables left from Auckland last evening by car and arrived at Waihou at an early hour thie morning.