THEORY OF ASSAULT

Evening Post, Volume CXVI, Issue 147, 19 December 1933, Page 9

THEORY OF ASSAULT

SCHOOL-TEACHER'S DEATH

REASONS FOR EXHUMATION

,(By, Telegraph.—Press Association.) AUCKLAND, December, 18. It was learned tonight that the body; of. Miss Jessie M. Fendall, who was assistant chief teacher at Otekaieke School, | was exhumed as the result of a suggestion that she had been the victim of an assault and that her death was not accidental, as was at first believed.

! The theory that Miss Fendall's death' was not accidental resulted from a medical examination which, showed that, apart from two severe wounds, on the head, she bore no bruises or scratches on. any other part of heir; body to indicate that she had fallen. It was stated, moreover, that her wristlet watch was Btill going, the glass being unbroken, while her coaty book, and handkerchief were placed -on ft nearby ledge in an orderly manner, not •in keeping with the theory that. they, had fallen from the top of the'-bank.or that they had been so arranged by the deceased after she had been injured. The deceased was found.in a reclining position, and her shoes* had apparently; been removed.

It was reported that rain, fell in the interval of a week which elapsed "between the finding of the body and the commencement of-the inquiry into the possibility of an assault. The: police were thus handicapped in their'investigations. A thorough, search revealed 110 weapon. It was considered that the wounds might have been made with a pick or some similar instrument. There was,a north-easterly gale on'the day on which Miss Pendall was injured, and the theory is held that she had taken advantage of the shelter afforded by the creek to enjoy a rest. The spot is said to have been.used on previous occasions as a sheltered retreat in rough weather. It is understood that the exhumation was carried out to enable the deceased's fingerprints to be taken for comparison with some found on certain articles she had in her possession when she was injured. Shortly after Miss Fendall's death' an x inquest was opened and was; adjourned after evidence of indentifi'ca* tion had been given.

Miss Fendall was a daughter of ,Mr. and Mrs. H. T. Fendall, of 103'Jervois Road, Ponsonby. She was born ia 1 Timaru and came to Auckland as. a girl, being educated at the Auckland Girto* Grammar School. She was associated with the Campbell Kindergarten; atfd [Myers Kindergarten for some years, and went to Otekaieke* Special School about seven years ago.