Police Appeal For Informers

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30312, 12 December 1963, Page 22

Police Appeal For Informers

(New Zealand Press Association) AUCKLAND, December 11. Police investigating the Bassett road murders tonight issued another appeal to the public for information. Those afraid of offering assistance would be given protection said the officer in charge of the investigation, Detective Inspector R. J. Walton.

“I am prepared to come out myself at any time in a plain car to meet an informant,’’ said Mr Walton. He said the persons themselves could nominate the meeting place, and the police were prepared to offer protection' if the person was afraid of the consequences. The appeal included persons who may have been at the house at 115 Bassett road, Remuera, for the purposes of obtaining liquor, said Mr Walton. The men killed were George Frederick Walker, aged 36, a commercial traveller, and Kevin James Speight, aged 26, a seaman. Mr Walton had no fresh developments to report tonight.

During the day the search for the murder weapon was intensified when 50 men from the 6th Independent Field Squadron, Royal New Zealand Engineers, searched waste areas around Bassett road with mine detectors. Their finds included nine cricket balls, one golf ball, a large assortment of worn-out car parts, and old tins. The Navy diving team today continued its underwater search around the harbour.

Noxious Weeds. — For failing to clear their land of noxious weeds Clifford Mannings was fined £2O; and Brian Finbarr McCarthy, £ 15, by Mr A. P. Blair, S.M., in the Magistrate’s Court at Lyttelton yesterday.