Long-Lost N.Z. Girl May Be Alive In Britain

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29990, 27 November 1962, Page 12

Long-Lost N.Z. Girl May Be Alive In Britain

(New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, November 26. » Seventeen years after she mysteriously vanished in Wilton’s Bush, Wadestown, Miss Jean Marie Martin, then a Victoria University student, may be alive in Britain. A member of her Waipawa family is waiting at Whenuapai for definite word before flying to London to make a full identification. Auckland police are co-operating with the British police by cable and telephone.

A few weeks ago a woman walked into a police station at St. Albans, Hertfordshire, and said her mind was a blank, but that she thought she might be from either New Zealand or Australia. She said that the name of Victoria University was familiar, as well as Perth, Western Australia.

She said: “I believe I may be a scientist or a university or research worker.” Her accent was thought to be that of a New Zealander. The woman was slim, aged about 40, with close-cropped dark hair. At the time of her disappearance on April 8, 1945, Miss Martin was aged 23, sft Zin in height and of ruddy complexion with welldefined black eyebrows. The missing girl's parents are Mr and Mrs M. Martin, of Tikokino road, Waipawa. They believe there is a reasonably good chance that their daughter is still alive. Identification Planned Mr Martin said in Napier today that the police in Auckland thought the report well worth investigating. If the woman was their missing daughter, there were relatives in England who would willingly care for her. If her mental capacity was impaired, and a personal identification was necessary, a daughter in Auckland, Miss Gwen Martin, who is a psychiatric nurse and a fullytrained nursing sister, would probably be the best person to send. She was ready to go immediately. Mrs Martin said the fact that the woman in London had correctly named the uni-

versity as “Victoria” seemed significant, but there had been so many false leads so many years ago that they hardly dared to expect too much.

“We tried everything we could possibly think of, including faith healers, diviners, colour people and even ex-clergymen, but until now there has been absolutely no trace,” said Mrs Martin. “Never Given Up Hope” Miss Gwen Martin said in Auckland tonight that every minute had been an eternity since she got in touch with the police on November 11. "The family has never given up hope that she will return alive and well,” she said. Miss Martin said when she read the newspaper report from Britain, she had been struck by the similarity of the descriptions. “Everything seemed to fit in,” said Miss Martin. "My sister would now be about 40 yean old, her hair, which was very dark, was always cut short, and she was engaged on research work at the university” Miss Martin said she had been saving tor some time for an overseas trip. If necessary she would use the money to fly to London. Auckland police said tonight that inquiries were still being made. So far, nothing definite had been established. When Miss Martin disap-

peared, it was thought the might have been suffering from amnesia or a nervous breakdown.

If the woman who presented herself at the British police station is Miss Martin, she has been visiting a number of countries before arriving in Britain. In her handbag was a postcard of New York, a souvenir pencil from the liner Ivemia, and the address of a faith-heeling clinic in Kent Search Recalled Anxiety for the safety of Mias Martin quickly grew after her disappearance on April 8. 1945. For days later the official search party numbered more than 70. led by police and including many university students. When no results came from the immediate area of Wilton’s Bush, the search was extended as far afield as Makara Beach, the Ohariu Valley and even the Orongorongo Range on the eastern side of Wellington Harbour. Miss Martin and a companion went hitch-hiking on April 8 and the companion left her at Wilton’s Bush at 3 pm. About 3.45 pm. Miss Martin called at a farm and appeared to be wanting to climb somewhere. She asked how to get to Ngalo and to the Crow’s Nest. She was finally directed along the road leading to Ngalo. Since then, she has not been seen.