IDENTIFIED AFTER MANY MONTHS

Southland Times, Issue 24109, 24 April 1940, Page 6

IDENTIFIED AFTER MANY MONTHS

MAN’S BODY FOUND IN AUCKLAND DOMAIN (United Press Association) AUCKLAND, April 23. With the aid of photographs which were sent to Australia the police have succeeded in establishing the identity of a man whose body was found in Auckland Domain on December 5. He was Thomas Kemp, single, aged 60, formerly of Yangon, Toowomba, Queensland, who came to New Zealand in January 1938. When the body was found there was a bullet wound in the head and an automatic pistol was clasped in one hand. There were no papers to lead to the identity of the man, but the clothes were carefully preserved and the police photographer took full face and profile photographs. These were distributed throughout New Zealand, but no information was forthcoming. Particulars of a missing man tallying with Kemp were contained in an official publication last month as a result photographs of Kemp sent to the police in Queensland and recently replies confirming the identity were received in Auckland from his brother and Constable Hendry, of Yangan station, who knew Kemp. Mention was made in the brother’s letter that Kemp bought a suit of clothes from a firm in Sydney before he left for New Zealand. Tabs found on the clothing bore the name of the firm of men’s outfitters referred to in the letter.

Before the inquiries were completed the matter was handled by more than 40 members of the Police Force in New Zealand and Australia. A formidable file of data was collected. Arrangements are now being made for the inquest to be concluded.