WOMAN’S BODY FOUND

Press, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 25610, 27 September 1948, Page 6

WOMAN’S BODY FOUND

SEVERE INJURIES TO HEAD AND FACE

DISCOVERY ON MOUNT VICTORIA (P.A.) WELLINGTON, Sept. 26. The body of a woman, severely battered about the face and head, and with a deep wound in the neck, was found among trees and scrub high up on the slopes of Mount Victoria by four boys at 3.30 p.m. to-day. The clothing, it was stated by the police, had been considerably disarranged, and the right stocking had been taken off. The victim was Mrs. Katherine G. Cranston, 47, a widow. A native of Scotland, Mrs Cranston had been living in Wellington for a year at the home of her cousin, Mr Charles McCrombie Durward, and his wife, 109 Elizabeth street. The house is less than a mile from where the body was found. Mrs Cranston left her home at 11.3 U a.m. for-- “a brisk walk” over Mount Victoria. The body was found near a gun emplacement half-way between the Ewart fever hospital and 2ZB radio station. Bushes in the vicinity showed signs of disturbance. The spot was hidden from the road, although quite near to it.

The police stated that no weapon had yet been found. The body was inspected before removal by the Coroner (Mr G. W. Mellish) and the pathologist (Dr. P. P. Lynch) at 6 p.m. It was then taken to the morgue for a more detailed examination. Mrs Cranston was described as very slightly built. The police stated that it was unlikely that she would be abie to put up much defence Against a determined assault. Neighbours described her as happy, of fine character, she kept to herself, had few friends, and rarelv went out at night. She was employed as a clerk in the Labour Department. . . r, Mrs Cranston had been in New Zealand only two years. Before her arrival she is believed to have been in the Army in Malaya. As far as could be ascertained, she has no children in New Zealand. She and a friend ,were apparently working and travelling their way round the world. Mr and Mrs Durward kept the midday meal waiting for Mrs Cranstons return. When she did not appear, Mr Durward left the house to go fishing.. When he returned at 5.30 p.m. Mrs Durward was extremely agitated at Mrs Cranston’s failure to return. Mr Durward then telephoned hospitals, and informed the police. He left home to seek the missing woman, and, taking a hill track,' met the police as they were returning from the spot where the body had been found. . At the central police station to-night, a force of detectives and uniformed police under Inspector J. Bruce , Young and Chief-Detective E. H. Compton were investigating the crime. The body was found on the other side of Mount Victoria, but in tjie same council reserve as that in which the body of 19-year-old Mane West was discovered last October.