N. AUCKLAND MURDER

Greymouth Evening Star, 12 June 1936, Page 5

N. AUCKLAND MURDER

POLICE INVESTIGATIONS. [per press association.]

WHANGAREI, June 11

So far, the police have no clue to the murder of Ernest Severin Nelson. Many avenues have been investigated, and statements have been obtained from the farm employees and Maoris living in the native settlement at Rangiahua, about five miles away, but no enlightenment has resulted. It was discovered to-day that the deceased bought a shotgun at Kaikohe on May 27, but the weapon was not taken to Nelson’s home, it being left with friends, some distance up the valley. An examination of the body shows that the gun-shot entered the back at the left side, and travelled upwards, piercing the heart and the lungs, and penetrated to the second rib on the right hand side, thus suggesting that the murderer lay on the ground, behind a briar bush awaiting the victim.

Further police reinforcements will be selected to-morrow.

POLICE REINFORCED

WHANGAREI, June 12

There is still no clue to the murderer of Nelson. Twelve police and detectives are engaged, Detective Sergeant Walsh and Detective Slater having arrived from Auckland.

One party is clearing, with spades and slashers, the rushes and other growth near the scene of the murder, while another party is making investigations near Rangiahua. The gun bought at Kaikohe on May 26 by Nelson was left at the home of Rawiri, in the Valley, likewise a box of cartridges. Rawiri used the gun several times shooting rabbits. This gun and another, which had been in Rawiri’s possession for some years, were taken possession of by the police. Rawiri, and his wife, also Mrs. Nelson. were at the Rangiahua Hotel, when the shooting occurred. Rawiri gave no permission to anybody to use the guns.

Jack Shapland, conductor of the triweekly rural mail, Okaihau to Rangiahua. states he is sure that two men were waiting at Nelson’s gate on the night of the tragedy, one took the mail, and the other, whom he believes was Nelson, stood back. The police attach no importance to this statement.