RUAWARO FARM MYSTERY

Manawatu Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 4259, 2 November 1933, Page 1

RUAWARO FARM MYSTERY

UNUSUAL DEVELOPMENTS. BURNING SLACK SEARCHED. There have been unusual developments in connection with the investigation of tjie Ruawaro mystery, in which the murder of Mr. Samuel Pender Lakey and his wife, Mrs Christobel Lakey, is suspected. It is thought that Mr Lakey’s body, the finding of which is regarded as essential to the case, could possibly have been buried in a huge heap of burning slack coal at the- Renown mine, Rotowaro. Work to remove the slack was commenced last week-end, and many tons were shifted under the direction of Detective Sneddon, Allsopp and Findlay. ,The activities were of an arduous nature, the officers being compelled to shovel for many hours deep in the smouldering slack. The heat was intense and several officers suffered burns. One man was severly burned on the right leg, and he had to jump into acreek to escape more serious injury. The men were able to receive attention with a firstaid outfit at the camp.

One estimate regarding the pile of slack which has attracted the notice of the police is that it contains between 6000 and 8000 tons of material. Only a portion has been investigated so far, but it is proposed to carry the work much further. Two weeks have elapsed since the tragedy, and, in that time, hundreds of tons of material have been added to the pile. The activity is being conducted on supposition, but the view is held that the heap offers a convenient place for the disposal of a body. In parts, there is a crust of slack extending over a wide area, and, beneath, the material burns with furnace-like heat. The crust is easy to break. The heap is only eight or nine miles from the Lakey property, and comparatively little time would be occupied by any possible perpetrator of the suspected ciime in making the journey and disposing of the body.

It is stated that there will foe no further dumping of slack while the police are engaged at the point where they are now working. The operations would take a considerable time with the limited number of men available, and it is suggested a good purpose would be served by concentrating many more men on the activity.

The spii'it in which the police are undertaking their difficult task calls for commendation. From dawn until late evening during the past two weeks they have waded creeks} splashed through swamps, cut paths through dense scrub, dragged rivers, explored caves in hill country and subjected every road for many miles to the closest scrutiny. Now they are labouring in shovelling away a burning mass, at considerable risk of injury. Constables under Sergeant Bissett explored six miles on both shores of Lake W)hangape, punts being used in an exacting task. The officers worked through acres of manuka on the Rarngiriri side of Lake Rotongaro.

SHOTGUN FOUND IN SWAMP.

Auckland. Ocober 31. The police discovered a gun in a nearby swamp yesterday. This is regarded as an important clue to the mystery, and the police worked on until dark, using spades and rakes in the swamp, and resumed soon after daylight to-day. The police are said to be hopeful now of solving the mystery.