ALLEGED MURDER

Southland Times, Issue 25311, 14 June 1935, Page 7

ALLEGED MURDER

DISGORGED ARM CASE LIMB SEVERED BY KNIFE DOCTOR’S EVIDENCE (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright.) (Rec. 7.25 p.m.) Sydney, June 13. The inquiry into the death of James Smith, aged 45, whose tattooed arm was disgorged by a captive shark in Coogee Aquarium, which eventually led to the victim’s identification, was continued to-day. A Government medical officer, Dr Arthur Palmer, gave evidence that he examined the human arm disgorged by the shark. He had not the slightest doubt that it was severed by a knife at the shoulder, probably after the victim was dead. Disarticulation had been done by some person other than a qualified surgeon. The limb had not been bitten from the body by a shark, nor was there any sign indicating that the victim died of poisoning. On the forearm there were tattoo marks representing two' boxers facing each other outlined in dark blue with red trunks. The limb was in a good state of preservation. A piece of killick or anchor rope was hanging from the wrist where it was secured by a clove hitch. Caught Shark. Albert Hobson, fisherman, said he caught the particular shark which disgorged the arm on April 17. off Coogee. It had attempted to devour a smaller shark which was caught on the line and became entangled in the line itself. The larger one was presented to Coogee Aquarium. Police finger-print experts gave evidence that finger-print impressions of the human arm exhibit were identical with those of 'James Smith, who in 1932 came under the notice of the police in connection with illegal betting. Sydney Allen, musician, gave evidence that he had arranged to meet James Smith at a city hotel early in April in order to discuss patents held by Smith. Witness saw him on April 8 and arranged to meet him the following day, but Smith did not appear. Witness had not seen him since. Harry Levi, barman at the Hotel Cecil, Cronulla, said Smith on April 8 entered the bar and inquired for a man named Williams. Witness gave him a message left by Williams which stated that the latter was at the local wharf. Witness was asked whether he could see Williams in the Court room, upon which he pointed to Brady, remarking: “That is the man.” Albert Ward, insurance agent, said he had seen Smith and Brady together on many occasions at Cronulla, but had not seen Smith since early in April. Tattoo Marks. Mrs Smith, recalled, declared that the tattoo marks of the boxers on the piece of flesh shown her at the morgue that day were identical with those on the arm of her husband. Edward Smith, who also identified the tattoo marks, said his brother James invited him to go fishing at Cronulla on April 8 along with a man “from another State who possessed means.” James, however, failed to keep the appointment and he had not seen or heard from him since. Witness later read in the newspapers of the discovery of a human arm at the aquarium bearing tattoo marks similar to those on the arm of his brother James, upon which he gave information to the police. The hearing was adjourned. . Patrick Brady is charged with the murder of Smith. HOLMES MURDER CASE PROBABLY SECOND ATTEMPT. NO TRACE OF ASSAILANT. (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright.) (Rec. 8.15 p.m.) Sydney, June 13. Detectives are not much nearer the arrest of Reginald Holmes’s murderer, and an examination of the finger-prints found on the motor car door afforded no clue to the identity of the wanted man. The police are guarding the home of relatives of the murdered man, and other witnesses at the Smith inquiry are being afforded police protection. Detectives are now disposed to place some credence in the information which Holmes gave them before his death. Following his capture on May 20 after a speed-boat chase he declared that a stranger had tried to kill him and afterwards he lost his memory. It was thought at the time that the wound was self-inflicted, but the police now believe it probable that he was shot on May 20 by the man who murdered him yesterday. VICTIM AN AUCKLANDER WELL KNOWN BOAT-BUILDER. (Per United Press Association.) Auckland, June 13. The victim of Sydney’s latest murder mystery, Reginald Holmes, who was found shot in his motor car early on Wednesday morning, is a member of one of the pioneer boat building families of Devonport, Auckland. An aunt, Mrs J. W. Atkin, lives at Queen’s Parade, Devonport, in the house in which Holmes’ father was borri; A grandfather of the murdered man, Mr William Holmes, sen., was a member of the boat-building firm of Holmes Brothers, which was interested in the first ferry service across the harbour and which in 1864 built the vessel Waitemata, the first steamer to be constructed at Devonport. Mrs Atkin said that William Holmes, jun., father of Reginald Holmes, was also a boat-builder in Auckland, but 47 years ago he took up residence in Sydney and founded a large business there. On his death in 1922 the business passed to his two sons, Reginald and Leslie Holmes, but for some years past the former had carried on alone. Reginald Holmes was recognized as one of the leading boat builders in Sydney, Mrs Atkin continued. He was a prosperous business man with headquarters at McMahon’s Point and was devoted to his work. His only hobby was speed boat racing and he owned several extremely fast boats which were always kept ready for any emergency. His interest in racing had taken him to many parts of Australia and he had raced successfully at Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide as well as in Sydney. He held some important trophies, including one awarded for three successive wins. Several narrow escapes from drowning after mishaps had not dimmed his enthusiasm. Although members of an old Auckland family, Holmes had visited the Dominion only once, in March last year. Mrs Atkin said that later in the year, however, she and her husband made a trip to Sydney and in October they spent a considerable time with Holmes and his family. “We did .hundreds of miles in the car in which he was murdered when we were there last October,” Mrs Atkin added. “We knew nothing of the tragedy until we read of it in the newspapers and we have had no additional information from relatives in Sydney. The news of the murder came as a terrible shock.” Holmes is survived by his widow and two young sons.