WANGAEHU MYSTERY.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 14 February 1925, Page 4

WANGAEHU MYSTERY.

NAIL-DRIVEN SKULL. POLICE MAKE ENQUIRIES. AN OLD WRECK DISCOVERED. The Wanganui jiolice are making investigations regarding the skull with a nail driven into the brain cavity (says the Wanganui Herald). Various theories have been suggested regarding (he murder. It is thought th.it similar nails may have been used at the old accommodation house at the Wangaehu River. A local resident discounts the idea that the man was murdered by a Maori, and states that he has studied Maori methods of early days, and is certain that they despatched their victims in a different and more expeditious manner. 'there is another interesting discovery in connection with this locality, namely, the wreck of an old sailing vessel that was piled up a great many years ago and became covered with drifting sand. After a lapse of years the wind uncovered a portion of the wreck from under the sand, and the owner of the land who found the skull recently was able to utilise some of the spars and timber for posts, etc. There are no old records to show what became of the crew of this vessel, hut it is surmised that thev were' eaten by the Maoris. Since the time of the wreck a vast change has taken place in tlie coast line, for the ship was fo-eiul well inland showing that a considerable area. of land had been made up on the seaward side.

The services at the Hawern Salvation Army Citadel to-morrow will be conducted by Captain and Mrs. Smith, assisted bv Band, Songster Brigade, and Soldiery. The services each Sunday continue to create fresh interest, and a special fature of each is the bright smging of congregational of old (time choruses and songs. The speaker for the morning service will be Envoy Arnold, and in hte evening Mrs. Captain Smith will give the address.