THE NEWLANDS SENSATION.

Gisborne Times, Volume LVIII, Issue 9658, 3 April 1923, Page 5

THE NEWLANDS SENSATION.

FINDING OF SECOND BODY

WHERE COOPER LIVED

Concerning the discovery of the ■ body of the second infant on Cooper’s j property, near Johnsonville, Inspec- ' tor Mcilveney said that he could not | make* any announcement- owing to the fact that it might hinder further developments. The digging operations, which were carried on in the early part of January last, and which led up to the discovery of tlm first child on January 3, were of a more or less casual nature, but since the resumption the ground has been subjected to a systematic and thorough scrutiny. _ Almost every inch of the ground is being turned over to tne depth of 12 inches, and even the ground under the house is being examined. The property, which is about two acres in area, is on the slope of a bill, About two-thirds of it is covered with native bush, and the undergrowth is proving a great hindrance to the digging. The cottage in which Cooper lived before his arrest lias a northerly <ispcct- ? -with 'bush on the west side. On the cast side there is a fairly laro-e patch of rank grass, and at the front the ground shows signs of cultiration. Running parallel with the front of the house, and about 30 yards away, is a gullv, and on tlic slopes of this'the body Was found. The hole was about 18 inches deep, and in rather an awkward position. It is situated about 40 yards away from where the first body was found, and in a most unlikely place. The body, as one would naturally expeci-y is in a fairly advanced stage of de&ti if? position. It is not known whether it still bears any distinguishing marks. It was devoid of clothing when found. Since the first development which led no to the arrest of accused, numbers of people have visited the proper tv, which has become a notorious landmark of the district. The house is a typical modern seaside cottage, with a small verandah. It contains four rooms and a scullery, and still remains in practically the same state as it was when it was inhabited. There are two bedrooms, a sitting-room, and a kitchen, and the furnishings are plain. The _ sittingroom contains a table, a pianola, a small settee, and two or three chairs, and tlie bedrooms contain little else than a bed and a dressing table. In the sitting-room there is a photo, of Mr and Mrs Cooper, taken on their wedding dav and the few hooks that are lying about vary in nature from a large & Bible to a collection of essays, mostly on religious topics. The “crib” in which some of the

supposed patients are aI-,R--yAd to have lived during the time Y-vffiv were staving at Newlands is a Fitly-built two-roomed hut, containing a sitting room and a small bedroom. The police continue digging, in the hope of finding the babies still ingCooper and his wife are to appear for trial on charges of murder at the 'Supreme Court session in May.