PYJAMA GIRL.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 84, 11 April 1939, Page 4

PYJAMA GIRL.

FURTHER INQUIRIES.

DETECTIVE HOPEFUL

UNKS WITH THE VICTIM.

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

SYDNEY, April 8.

Although te9ts of woman's clothing recovered from a lagoon near Albury for human blood have proved negative, it is still hoped by Detective Wilks, of the C.1.8., that they may yet prove a clue to the murder of the Pyjama Girl in September, 1934. The articles found consisted of two blouses, rubber boots, a pair of white shoes, a pair of pink slippers, two ties and a pair of shoe trees.

Detective Wilks made extensive inquiries among shops and clothing experts and discovered some interesting facts which could be interpreted as link-

ing the clothes with the murdered girl. The gum boots were quickly identified by an employee of Ltd., as having been made by his firm in April, 1933. These were fleecy lined, of rather expensive make, and size 4 — the estimated size of the murdered girl's foot. .The condition, of the soles and heels was consistent -with about a month's continuous wear. Taking.his exhibits around the city. Detective Wilks learnt definitely that one of the blouses had been spun crepe de chine. This material, he was told, was sold extensively in 1934, but became a .dead line in 1935 when rayon materials became established on the" market at a much lower price. Fashion experts at retail shops also agreed that the blouse was of a style fashionable in 1934, but since then put of vogue. Resisted Disintegration. It was originally shop made as a frock, but had been cut down and altered by an amateur to a blouse. Japanese silk experts told the detective that the material resisted disintegration by water and could have remained emersed in the lagoon for four years.

The second blouse found in the lagoonwas established as a popular style common for several years. The white shoes had been made in Melbourne and like

the slippers were size four—the supposed size of the murdered girl's foot. It has been suggested that the articles, which were found beneath' a log, might lufcve been placed there as a hoax, but, on the other hand, it seems drawing a long bow to suppose that anyone would get all the footwear of'the right size and select such a curious assortment of articles.

It must be admitted, however, that if the clothing did belong to the pyjama girl, it is in a remarkable state of preservation after its four years in the lagoon and mud. The gumboots and shoes were found in the centre of the bundle, having been wrapped together with the crepe de chine blouse and bound with the other one. It has been suggested by Detective Wilks that in such a bundle the articles would not rot as quickly as they would ir mey had been thrown into the lagoon separately. On tha other hand, it is a fact that the crepe de chine blouse is so well > preserved as to require strong lingers to tear it. The gumboots have still long wear in them and the slipppers are unfrayed. Photographing Model.

Detective Wilks is now having a wax figure made of the same build as the Pyjama Girl, which will be dressed in clothes similar to those found in the

lagoon. Because some of the materials of%vhich they were made have gone out of fashion, eiactly similar cloth cannot be obtained, but fashion experts are "oinp to provide materials of the same colour and an artist will paint in the stripes. The figure will then be photographed and. another artist will superimpose on this photo a drawing of the girl's face. This reconstructed picture will then be photographed again and copies widely distributed in the hope that someone will recognise the girl. The C.1.8. has a plaster cast of a reconstruction of the dead jrhTs head, which was made by their draftsman and modeller, Detective Jardine.