FOUL PLAY?

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 120, 24 May 1938, Page 8

FOUL PLAY?

MISSING MAN.

KAWHIA MYSTERY.

HINDU DISAPPEARS.

POLICE SEARCH COMMENCES.

(By Telegraph.—Special to "Star.") HAMILTON", this day. Dramatic developments are hinted at by the Hamilton police concerning the mysterious disappearance from the settlement of Taharoa of a Hindu, Delu Desai, 42 years of age. He has not been seen since the niglit of May 7.

Taharoa is on the west coast, oil the shores of, Lake Taharoa. It is 15 miles south of Kawhia across the Kawhia Harbour, and 40 miles from Kawhia' by road.

Delu Desai has been in the district of Taharoa for about 13 months assisting a countryman, Bhagvanji Desai, in a genemi store business. He was popular with the Maoris, and often confided in them, and it is regarded as strange that he should go away without telling somebody of his movements.

This strengthens the growing fear that the Hindu has met with foul play, He was reported as "missing" to Constable G. F. Mackenzie, of Kawhia, on May 10, and after investigations were made by him at Taharoa, Detectives A. J. White and J. Hayes, of Hamilton, were sent to Taharoa to make inquiries.

No News. Since Desai disappeared he has not been heard from or seen by any of his friends, and it is understood that the field of search has narrowed down considerably.

"There have been developments -which necessitate more intensive search in the immediate vicinity of Taharoa," said Inspector C. W. Lopdell, in charge of the Hamilton police district, before his departure for Taharoa this morning.

Accompanying Inspector Lopdell are Constables J. Richardson and G. Tait, who are to assist the detectives assigned to the case. Delu Desai is about sft 2in in height and of slight build. He speaks good English, having resided in New Zealand for about 20 years. He was well known among compatriots in Auckland. In the Taharoa settlement there are about 100 Maoris, the only pakeha residents being the school teacher and his wife. /