MURDER MYSTERY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22464, 7 July 1936, Page 10

MURDER MYSTERY

NORTH AUCKLAND CASE

WIDE-SPREAD SEARCH

POLICE RENEW EFFORTS

[by TELKCRArn —own correspondent] KAIKOHE, Monday The detectives engaged in searching for the murderer of Mr. Ernest Soverin Nelson, of Waihou Valley, North Auckland, have not yet made an arrest, and tho case is apparently still a mystery.

It is now four weeks since Mr. Nelson was shot. Tho time of the crime is known to a minute —it was 7.47 p.m. At 10 o'clock that night tho body was found and tho police were on the spot within two hours. Early next morning detectives, under an inspector, had taken charge of the case and had the assistance of 10 constables. No clue was discovered the morning after tho murder and no clue has yet been found. Vain Search for Gun

Large areas of surrounding country have been cleared of fern and scrub in search for tho case of tho cartridge used and tho Waihou River has been dragged for miles in vain search for tho gun. All guns in the district have been collected and are under examination by an expert. Evervono known to have been in the neighbourhood or to have travelled the road that evening has been questioned. The movements of all who in the most remote way could bo connected with tho case have been examined and re-examined, and every statement verified, but no definite headway has been made. The Hokianga Maori Council has taken a hand in tho investigation and conducted its own inquiry, and is still helping the police in their search for the murderer or for material information that might lead to his arrest. So far its efforts have been without result. Winter Hinders Operations A number of the Maoris in the district work in tho bush, miles from home, and only return at week-ends. To interrogate them tho police have to follow them where they are working, this often entailing long journeys. The weather has now broken, rivers and streams have risen and clay roads are becoming bogs. ThiSj of course, hampers the police in their operations as many of the streams are unbridged and the cold, wet days make conditions most uncomfortable.

Police activities have again branched farther afield in the search for information and a reeanvass of houses is being carried out with infinite care. All shotguns that were recently taken possession of have been examined and patterns taken of tho discharges from each, both single and double barrel, from the angle at which the police believe tho fatal shot was fired.