GRIM FIND

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26958, 18 December 1948, Page 6

GRIM FIND

Murder Suspected BODY OF PENSIONER Deep Gashes In Skull PA NAPIER, Dec. 17. Brutally battered to death, with five deep gashes across the top of his skull, the body of a 69-year-old pensioner was found slumped against the bed in his one-roomed shack near Wairoa railway station early this morning. The man’s injuries had been inflicted with a sharp instrument. There were pools of partly-congealed blood on the floor of the shack and on the porch outside. The victim was Herbert William Brunton, married, retired railways employee, who had resided at Wairoa for many years.

The discovery of the body was made by Charles French, blacksmith, residing in a shack nearby. The area is known locally as “ tin can alley. Brunton was apparently in the habit of rising early, and when he did not appear at the usual time this morning French investigated. On opefling the door, he found the body.

Senior Sergeant C, Mcßae, of the Wairoa police, was summoned to the shack, and immediately notified headquarters at Napier, and Inspector J. Abel,.Senior Detective D. McKenzie, and other police personnel left for Wairoa.

The hut in which the body was found is one of three on a small section near the locomotive shed at the Wairoa railway station. On the porch of the hut was found, a partly-congealed pool of blood, suggesting that Brunton went to answer the door during the night and was struck by his assailant. Another pool of blood was found on the threshold of the shack’s single room. A pillow soaked with blood was found on the bed in the shack. The gashes in the skull were so deep that it is probable Brunton was killed instantly by the first blow. Brunton was formerly employed as a guard on the railway, being stationed in many parts of New Zealand. He had a large family. Two sons were killed during the recent war. An inquest was held to-day. and, after evidence of identification by Constable J. J. King, adjourned sine die on the application of Senior Sergeant Mcßae. The police have been busily engaged throughout the day making inquiries, and it is understood that further reinforcements are arriving tonight and that the investigations will be immediately intensified.