WAIROA MURDERS

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIII, Issue 199, 24 August 1942, Page 4

WAIROA MURDERS

SEARCH FOR CLUES

INTENSE POLICE ACTIVITY

'P-A.) \\ AIROA. this day. Difficult problems confront the police in their investigations concerning the deaths of Brigadier Annie Smyth and Miss Rosamond Smyth, who were apparently brutally murdered about a fortnight ago. From observations it is learned that they must have been assaulted not less than ten davs prior to the discovery of the bodies. This is the most remarkable feature ?l ! h F u ase , v \ hen uis understood that lights had been burning in the kitchen throughout that time.

It. has now been established that Brigadier Smyth was last seen on August 10, when she was noticed by a neighbour hanging washing on a clothes line. In addition to the table being set for one, it has also been discovered that on the kitchen table were requisites for sewing but there is no sign of the work being completed. Possibly one of the victims noticed that the person for whom the meal was being prepared required some repairs to his wearing apparel and lntenrred doing this, but was attacked before commencing the work.

How Mail was Delivered

Inquiries concerning the noncollection of mail disclosed that when a postal clerk saw a gap in the door, which was jammed by papers left earlier, use was made of an open window to drop the correspondence through, it being believed that Brigadier and Miss Smyth had left \l airoa for a holiday or some other purpose.

The police are still here in full force. They were busily engaged throughout the night and again this morning making further inquiries, but up to a late hour had nothing further to release for the Press.

At various churches yesterday reference was made to the tragic happening, sympathy being extended to relatives anfl the Salvation Army as a Whole. Last evening a memorial service was conducted in the Presbyterian Church, the large congregation including many Salvationists.

The Salvation Army hall is not more than 200 yards from the main thoroughfare and 50 yards from a depot from which many passengers leave daily for Gisborne. The appearance of the light throughout the days did not bring any comments, either from neighbours or even business places situated opposite. Further, hundreds of school children passed the place daily, yet no reference was made by anyone. Neither did wardens who were on duty at night comment.

The hall is under 15 feet from the footpath and nothing from outward appearance indicated that the interior possessed such a grim story as has now been revealed. The building, which is in Queen Street, is used both as living quarters for the officer and a place of worship, half being used for each purpose. There are residences in close proximity on either side, also at the back, yet no person heard or saw anything to raise suspicions.

Unsuspecting Worshippers

Worshippers state that when they attended the hall last Sunday they found the place locked. They were under the impression that Brigadier Smyth had gone to the country for a service there and returned to their homes, not the least concerned about the non-appearance of the officer in charge. The right-hand side of the building was used for services, while on the left were the living quarters.

Constable J. King, while on duty on Friday night, was informed that something was wrong at the hall, and, under the impression that his informant meant that a dispute of some description had arisen, he went there. On entering by a back window Constable King found the body of Brigadier Smyth, which was lying back in a morris chair, with her clothing disarranged and with a gag of tape and portion of her apron across her mouth.

A little'later Miss Smyth's body was discovered in a bedroom, the face being severely injured and the clothing disarranged. Brigadier Smyth had been dealt a severe blow on the side of the head, causing a fracture of the skull, and death was probably instantaneous. Evidently only one blow was struck, possibly with a weapon not yet discovered, while the poker that caused Miss Smyth's death was found on the floor.

A table in the kitchen was set for one person, while on the stove was a container with two eggs cooked. The water had all boiled away, indicating that a fairly big fire was burning. It is believed the crime was committed in the early hours of the evening when a number of persons were within hearing if there had been any screams from the victims.

The fact that such a long period has intervened between the deaths of the victims and the discovery of the bodies presents the police with a very difficult problem. Dr. Lynch was engaged practically the whole day yesterday carrying out an examination. Late in the afternoon the bodies were removed to a local mortuary.

Brigadier Smyth was probably one of the best known women in the district. She was of a very charitable nature and it was not unusual for her to take home persons for a meal or to offer workers spiritual encouragement. Her sister was not nearly so well known. Inquest Opened An inquest was opened before the district coroner, Mr. V. E. Winter, at Wairoa this morning and after evidence of identification had been given by Mr. Clifford C. Smyth, brother of the deceased women and manager of the Union Bank of Australia in Pahiatua, it was adjourned.