STILL NO CLUE TO WAIHOU VALLEY MURDER

Northern Advocate, 12 June 1936, Page 8

STILL NO CLUE TO WAIHOU VALLEY MURDER

POLICE RESTRICT ENTRANCE TO NELSON PROPERTY

[Special to “Northern Advocate.”] RANGIAHUA, 'This Day. irpuE police are extending their . ■ net in the search for the murderer of Ernest Severin Nelson, the prosperous farmer, of Waihou Valley, who was shot in the back when walking along the drive on his property last Tuesday night. All persons, who’ were not on the farm on the night of the murder, have been excluded by the police from the property. ,

“Not Very Important.”

Mr Jack Shapland, . who maintains the tri-weekly rural mail delivery between Okaihau and Mangamuka, told the “Northern Advocate” last night that on the evening of the murder he was certain that two persons were waiting at Nelson’s gate to collect the mail. One man actually took the mail

Died Intestate?

Two Localities.

and the other, whom he believed to be Mr Nelson, stood some distance back from the road.

The fact that a second man was present does not fit in with the statethat Nelson went to the gate and the question arises: “Where did the second man come from?”

When Mr Shapland’s statement was referred to him this morning, Inspector O’Hara, who is in charge of the police investigations, said that the police did not attach any importance to it.

One of the two guns, which have been seized by the police, apparently is that purchased at Kaikche on May 27 last by Mr and Mrs Nelson. Both Mrs Nelson and Mrs Rawiri state that the firearm was taken to Rawiri’s house on the day of purchase, and that Mr Nelson had intended to collect it later, but had not done so. A closed season is being observed in the Bay of Islands acclimatisation and Mr Rawiri, it is stated, used kelson’s gun on several occasions for shooting rabbits. He had not been out with it for a week prior to June 9.

On May 27 Nelson also bought a box of cartridges, which was left at Rawiri’s place with the gun. The other gun, which was seized from Rawiri’s place, had been in his possession for many years, having been given to him by his father. This accounts for both the firearms now in the possession of the police. On the night of the murder. Mr and Mrs Rawiri and Mrs Nelson were at the Rangiahua Hotel. Mr Rawiri has no knowledge of either of the firearms being taken from his place that night.

It is believed that after his marriage Mr Nelson did not draw up a new will, and consequently is regarded as having died intestate. Mr O’Donoghue, District Public Trustee, of Whangarei, visited the farm yesterday, making arrangements for administration *of the estate, which is a very valuable one. Mr J. E. White, who owns the property on the opposite side of the road, is supervising the farm temporarily for the Public Trustee.

A party of four additional police, comprising Detective-Sergeant Walsh, Detective Slater and two constables, has arrived from Auckland, bringing the total number of police searchers to twelve.

This morning one party, armed with slashers and spades, is cutting rushes and making a general investigation of the drive where the body was discovered, and nearby. Another party went in the direction of Rangiahua, where further investigations are being made.

A message received laie this afternoon states that the police apparently are concentrating upon two localities. Two men are clearing the drive from the spot where the body was found, but so far have not found anything of interest to the case.

Most of the police are working some miles further down the Valley, in the open country skirting the main road adjacent to the Waihou Cemetery and to a distance of a mile beyond that point. Attention is also being paid to the banks of the Waihou River, which runs past the cemetery.

In the discoloured and deep waters of the stream incriminating evidence would find a very secure hiding place. From the movements of the searchers it appears fairly definite that they believe- the murderer is still in the district.