MYSTERY DEATH

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXIII, Issue 12076, 16 October 1933, Page 5

MYSTERY DEATH

TAX*MAN, MURDEREP AT . AUCKLAND. %• . • f(Snd IN CAR dying From BLOW ON HEAD. ASSAILANT believed to HAVE BEEN “FARE" MOTIVE NOT DEFINITELY Ascertained. WEAPON NOT FOUND. (l’rass Association). AUCKLAND, Oct. 15. Dying from a blow on the head delivered by an unknown assailant a taxicab driver was found at the wheel of his cab by a milkman wjlio was delivering milk in Mount Roskill shortly -before six o’clock this mornThere was no sign of a' struggle nor of the implement with which the blow was struck. The injured man was rushed to Auckland hospital, but died as he was being admitted. The victim was James Blair, 53, bf Newton, married, with three children, and he was employed bv the Chess Taxi Cabs, being an auxiliary driver engaged on night duty. When the discovery was made, the taxi was standing in King’s Road off Dominion Road, and near the corner of Faina Street, formerly known as Lover's Lane. The vehicle was standing in u normal position at the left side of the road, which has houses upon each side, and at fairly close intervals for its entire length. It is thought that the attack was made about two hours before the discovery, as the taxi jvas wet with dew, as though it had been standing for some time. The engine had stopped, but the taxi meter was still ticking. It had registered 18s. The motive for the crime has not yet been ascertained with any decree of definiteness. Blair had some money in his possession when found, btit it is not known whether he had a further sum which his assailant’ took. His entry book showed 37s worth of work done, but that is not held to indicate that he had 37s in cash on his person when the attack took place. ,

It is believed that the assailnat was a “fare” who hailed Blair in the street.

It is a matter of routine for taxi drivers to ring their central office upon returning to the stand after completing a job, and Blair rang his office about 3.40 .this mox-ning, haviug then returned to his stand in Upper Queen Street. From that time onward, nothing more was heard of him until he was found. No one in the street where the taxi was found had any idea of the tragic happenings until they were awakened by the police, who arrived in force and immediately commenced an intensive investigation,, including a search for the weapon.

No arrest has been made and no weapon found.