Murder Suspected in Tragedy at Hamilton

Manawatu Times, Volume 70, Issue 110, 11 May 1945, Page 4

Murder Suspected in Tragedy at Hamilton

YOUNG MAN POUND DEAD ON LONELY ROAD (Per Press Association.) AUCKLAND, May D. The dead body of a young man was found in circumstances pointing to murder in Frankton Junction at 7.15 a.m. to-day. The body was identified as that of Edward Herbert Clarke, aged 22, a trucker employed at the Wilton colliery at Glen Massey. Death had been caused by heavy blows to the head which had indented the forehead aud smashed the skull. No trace of an implement that might have caused the injuries has been discovered. The body was found lying on a footpath about 70 yards back from the main Frankton-Whatawhata Road by a girl of 13, Jessie Goodall. The police were immediately informed and Inspector O’Neil, detective-sergeant Murray, Sergeant Bonnington, detectives Hayes and Taylor and several constables were soon on the scene. They were joined later in the day by Detective-Sergeant Trethewey and Detective Harris, of Auckland.

Inquiries show that deceased, who was well-kuown in Hamilton, had been spending a victory celebrations ’ holiday with his brother, Mr. G. N. Clarke, of Dunsdale Road, Frankton. He left his brother’s home at 6 o ’clock last night with the intention of attending a dance at Dinsdale. The road is a sparsely settled thoroughfare on the west side of the Hamilton borough boundary.

A post mortem examination was conducted by Dr. A. G. Waddell. The body was warm when found and death had evidently occurred only a few hours before. A thorough investigation was conducted by the police to-day and many people were interviewed. The inquest was opened and adjourned.