SYDNEY POLICE BAFFLED

Hawera Star, Volume LIV, 14 June 1935, Page 7

SYDNEY POLICE BAFFLED

No Nearer to Finding the Murderer of Principal Witness “SHARK ARM” MYSTERY GUARD FOR WITNESSES (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph Copyright). SYDNEY, June 13. Detectives are not much nearer to an arrest of the murderer of Reginald Holmes, the principal witness in the “shark arm” mystery, who was found shot in a motor car on the waterfront yesterday. Examination of the fingerprints found on the motor car door in which he was killed afford no clue to the identity of the wanted man. Tho detectives are disposed to place credence in .the information whiejh Holmes gave them before his death. Following his capture on May 20, after the speedboat chase in the harbour, he declared that a stranger had tried to kill him and afterwards he lost his memory. Ifc was thought at the time that the wound was self-inflicted, but the police now believe it probable that he was shot on May 20 by the man who murdered him yesterday.

The police are guarding the home of the relatives of the murdered man, and police protection is being affcided the other witnesses in the inquiry into the death of James Smith, whose tattooed arm was disgorged by a captive shark and who at one time w orkv ed for Holmes. The Government medical officer, Dr. Arthur Palmer, gave evidence when the inquiry was continued to-day that he examined the human arm disgoiged by the shark. He had not the slight'est doubt that it was severed by a knife at, the shoulder, probably after the victim was dead. The disarticulation had been done by some person other than a qualified surgeon. The limb had not been bitten from the body by a shark, nor was there any sign indicating that tho victim died of poisoning. On the forearm there was a tattoo mark representing two boxers lacing each other, outlined in dark blue with red trunks. The limb was in a good state of preservation. A piece of killick, or anchor, rope was hanging from the wrist, where it was secured by a clove hitch.

Albert Hobson, a fisherman, said he caught the particular shark which disgorged the arm on April 17 off Coogee. It had attempted to devour a smaller shark which was caught on a line, and it became entangled in the line itself. The larger shark was presented to the Coogee aquarium.

• FINGER-PRINTS identical Police finger-print experts gave evidence that finger-print impressions of the human arm exhibit were identical with those of James Smith, who in 1932 camo under the notice of the police in connection with illegal betting. . Sydney Allen, a musician, gave evidence that he had arranged to meet James Smith at the City Hotel early in April to discuss patents held by Smith. He saw Smith on April 8 and arranged to meet him the following day, but Smith did not appear. He had not teen him since. Harry Levi, barman at the Hotel Cecil, Cronulla, said Smith on April entered the bar and enquired for a man named ‘Williams. Levj gave him a message left by Williams, which stated that Williams was at the Cronulla wharf. Levi was asked whethex he could see Williams in the courtroom, upon which he pointed to Patrick Brady, who is accused of the murder of Smith, remarking, “That is the man.” Albert Ward, insurance agent, said he Lad seen Smith and Brady together on many occasions at Cronulla, but he had not seen Smith since early in April. Mrs Smith, who was recalled, declared that the tattoo marks of the boxers on the piece of flesh shown her at the morgue that day were identical with those on the arm of her husband. Edward Smith, who also identified the tattoo marks, said his brother James invited him to go fishing at Cronulla on April 8 with a man "from another State who possessed means.” James Smith, however, failed to keep the appointment, and Edwarcr Smith had not seen or heard from him since. He later read in the newspapers of the discovery of the human arm at the aquarium bearing tattoo marks similar to those on the arm of his brother James, upon which he gave information to the police. The inquiry was adjourned.

Murdered Man a Member of Old Auckland Family (By Ti'lfgrnph—Press .Association.) AUCKLAND, June 13. The victim of Sydney’s latest murder mystery, Reginald Holmes, who was found shot in liis motor-ear early on Wednesday morning, is a member of one of the pioneer boat-building families of Devon port, Auckland. An aunt, Mr J. W. Atkin, lives at Queen’s Parade, Devonport, in the house in which Mr Holmes’ father was born. A grandfather of the murdered man, Mr William Holmes, seur., was a member of the boat-building firm of Holmes Bros., which was interested in the first ferry service across the harbour and which in 1864 built the vessel Waitemata, the first steamer to be constructed at Devonport. Mrs Atkin said Mr William Holmes, junr., father of Mr Reginald

Holmes, was also a boat builder at Auckland, but 47 years ago he took up residence at Sydney and founded a largo business there. On his death in 1922 the business passed to his two sons, Mer Reginald and Leslie Holmes sons, Messrs Reginald and Leslie Holmes, but for some years past the former had carried on alone. Mr Reginald Holmes was recognised as one of the leading boat builders at Sydney, Mrs Atkin continued. He was a prosperous business man with headquarters at McMahon’s Point, and be was devoted to his work. His only hobby was speed boat racing, and he owned several extremely fast boats which were always kept ready for any emergency. His interest in racing had taken him to many parts of Australia, and he had raced successfully at Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide, as well as at Sydney. He held some importami trophies, including one awarded for three successive wins. Several narrow escapes from drowning after mishaps had not dimmed his enthusiasm.

Although a member of an old Auckland family, Mr Holmes bad visited the Dominion only once, in March of last year, Mrs Atkin said. Later in the year, however, she and her husband made a visit to Sydney, and in October they spent a considerable time with Mr Holmes and his family. “Wo did hundreds of miles in the car in Avliich ho was murdered ulien we were there last October,” Mrs Atkin added. “We knew nothing of the tragedy until we read it in the news papers, and we have had no additional information from relatives at Sydney. The news of the murder came as a terrible shock.” Mr Holmes is survived by his Avidow and two young sons.