FARM MURDER

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22448, 18 June 1936, Page 14

FARM MURDER

SEARCH FOR CLUES ACTIVE POLICE WORK WIDESPREAD INQUIRIES APPEAL TO MOTORISTS I in* TET.EonArn —OWN connKspoNDKNT] KAIKOTTR, "\Vednesdny Complete mystery still surrounds tho murder of Mr. Ernest Severin Nelson, the Wailiou Valley farmer, which occurred on Tuesday last week. The thorough investigations by the police have not produced any fresh developments. The crime, indeed, appears even more baffling to-day then it did a few days a>;o and the detectives are seeking still with the utmost persistence for information that will lead to a clue. The police are anxious to get in touch with tho driver of a motor-car which travelled down the Wailiou Valley on tho evening of tho murder. It would have passed the Nelson farm gate between 7.40 and 7.50. Tho car is believed to have been a touring model, and if the driver would present himself for an interview the police would be assisted in advancing their investigations. Vital Information Possible

The police would also be assisted if any other drivers of vehicles which passed Mr. Nelson's gate on the night of tho murder would see them and give statements. This co-operation is required urgently by the police, who believe that out of statements thus furnished information might be obtained which would go a long way toward clearing up tho mystery. / The evidence given at yesterday's special meeting of tho committee of tho Hokianga District Maori Council has boon placed in the hands of the police, who to-day appeared to work to an extent on tho findings of the committee. The centre of police activities has again reverted to Taheko. about 20 miles distant, where detectives have been engaged all day. Inspector T. J. O'Hara has returned from Whangarei and is again in charge. Since the day following the crime police headquarters have been located in tho Rangiahua Hotel, but it is expected they will bo moved to the late Mr. Nelson's house within a few days. Search in Paddock A gang of constables has been busily engaged each day cutting rushes and burning fern in the three-acre paddock adjoining the.road where the body was found, it is apparently presumed tho murderer took flight in this direction, instead of returning to the main road by the drive The police have been divided into four sections, and the search extends to Taheko on one side and to Mangamuko on tho other, a radius of 20 miles each way from tho Rangiahua Hotel. In the past day or two there has boen an unusual movement of stock on tho late Mr. Nelson's property. Mustering has been carried out, but tho estimate of value of the stock is not vet available.