BATTERSEA CRIME

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 8 September 1924, Page 9

BATTERSEA CRIME

VARIOUS SUGGESTIONS AS TO Cause.

*Y CABLI!—PHaSB ASSOCIATION —COPYSIGHI

Received Sept. 8, .8.5 a.m. LONDON, Sept. 7. The Battersea tragedy continues to be the all absorbing topic of discussion, and occupies columns in the newspapers. It has now been ascertained that the girl Peggy was only 23. Tall, slim and with bobbed hair, she had attracted the attention of neighbours. She wore a maid's uniform, but always with an air of a musical comedy heroine temporarily in disguise. The police discovered a gold wedding -ring in a sealed envelope 'at- the bottom of Peggy’s trunk, but they are unable at- present to discover its significance. Her relatives are unaware of any marriageceremony. In Joshua's pocket was found a blank cheque in which importance is‘ attached owing to l reference to money matters in the letters found in his hand-writing. The letters, which numbered nearly a dozen/ were always very brief. They began, My darling/’ and referred to appomtments. It is known that Joshua frequently met the girl outside the mansions.

The Sunday News says that Joshua .went to the flat on Monday night and had a supper of bacon and eggs. The post-mortem examination shows that the death occurred three or four hours after the latter meal. The Sunday Express says: The theory is that the girl having been on ■intimate terms anticipated ' marriage but learning that this was impossible owing to Joshua being a married man shot him and herself. On the other hand it is. stated that Peggy had known Joshua for three years knew he was married, and declared that if she could not have him she would end her life and his. Joshua was a wealthy Jew and recently retired from the directorship of a West Bud furnishing company. .He spent much of his time golfing- with, Mrs. Joshua, who is also a wealthy relative of the jS™ Slr ErA^? t Gassel, J who left her £SOOO annually. The marriage of Joshuas daughter Catherine last November at Saint Margaret’s, Westminster, was a fashionable event and was attended by Lady Louis Mountbatten and other titled people. Joshua gave her away.The caretaker of the Mansions was an Orphan and had been left in the guardianship of .a wealthy, man, who allowed her £8 weekly. He added that the man wanted to marry her, but she preferred to be free.

An inouest will be held on Tuesday —Aus. N.Z. Cable Assn. '