Police Find No Fresh Evidence In Murder

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30065, 25 February 1963, Page 10

Police Find No Fresh Evidence In Murder

(New Zealand Press Association) NELSON, February 24. Police have nothing fresh on the murderer of the Nelson taxi-driver, Peter Garthew Banham, whose battered body was found at Hope, 12 miles from Nelson on Thursday morning. An intensive routine investigation is still in progress and a police spokesman said there were leads that had yet to be eliminated.

House-to-house inquiries are being made in the Hope area and round Kerr street where Mr Banham’s taxi was found.

Constable K. Gallagher and the police dog Gem arrived in Nelson from Christchurch late yesterday to assist-in the investigation. The Commissioner of Police, Mr C. L. Spencer, returned to Wellington yesterday and Detective Chief Superintendent W. R. Fell,

head of the New Zealand C. 1.8. returned this evening. In Nelson they have been with Detective Inspector A. I. Knapp, leader of the special homicide squad investigating the murder.

Many people have been interviewed by police. About 11 outside police are working on the case and days off tor the Nelson and country staff have been cancelled. Policemen are averaging 16 hours a day with only short breaks for meals.

Nearly 400 people attended

the funeral service for Mr Banham in. St Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, Manuka street, yesterday.

More than 80 cars comprised the cortege which moved slowly to the Marsdrti Valley cemetery. Inspector E. B. McCallum, due to transfer to Wellington on Wednesday, paid the respects of the Commissioner to Mrs Banham.

In answer to a police request for information many people have come forward but with little new.