Police Still Continuing Bomb Murder Inquiry

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29865, 4 July 1962, Page 14

Police Still Continuing Bomb Murder Inquiry

(New Zealand Press Association)

DUNEDIN. July 3. There are still no indications of tlie police making an aru’eert in the parcel bomb murder of the Dunedin solicitor, James Patrick Ward. It is now five months since Mr Ward died from injuries received when a parcel bomb, which he had received through the post, exploded in his Stuart street office. “We still have two detective sergeants working fulltime on the inquiry," the head of the Dunedin C. 1.8., Detective Inspector G. W. Alty, said today. “We are still checking on sources of explosives, and this involves questioning a considerable number of people. References are also being made to the office files of Mr Ward, and to the scientific work of the experts who were engaged on the case.”

Are the police baffled by the murder? Mr Alty was asked. “We have our views on the murder, but obviously until these are substantiated by evidence and information they can only be a guide to the inquiry,” he said. How long will the police continue investigations?— “We have no intention of giving up the inquiry. As well as the two detective sergeants working full-time on it, other C. 1.8. men, both in

Dunedin and in other towns, are contributing necessary particulars.” After five months of investigations how could the planning of the murder be described?—“Obviously the murderer planned the crime carefully, and with little evidence to go on he left a difficult task for the police. It is only by painstaking attention to detail and perserverance that we can hope for success."