MURDERS IN PARKS

Taranaki Daily News, 20 January 1933, Page 7

MURDERS IN PARKS

FORMIDABLE POLICE TASK.

SENSATIONAL SYDNEY RUMOURS.

Sydney, Jan. 14.

The investigation into the horrible tragedies now associated in the public mind with “the parks” has made some progress this week. After prolonged inquiries the police have arrested Eric Craig, a young man of 28, married, who, when he is employed, is a soft goods salesman. After his arrest, it is alleged, he made a statement to the police, and he has been charged with the murder of May Miller, who was found dead in Waverley Park on December 9 last. Craig has been remanded, and it is generally assumed that the police would not have carried matters so far unless they had strong evidence against the accused. But even if Craig were responsible for the murder of May Miller, will his trial throw any light upon the even more horrible fate of Bessie O’Connor, the victim of the National Park tragedy’ The police apparently have not made up their minds whether the evidence now available indicates that one man is responsible for these two ghastly crimes—possibly for three, if we include the murder of Hilda White in Centennial Park under very similar conditions a few months ago/ But the C. 1.8. is carrying on its inquiries most energetically and it has announced its conclusion that the murderer of Bessie O’Con-nor-and possibly May Miller-must have lived within the limits of a certain small area bounded by two streets in the neighbourhood of Centennial Park. This to be “the biggest task ever undertaken by officers of the C. 1.8.,” and as it will entail the personal exammation of at least 1000 people it certainly is a very formidable task. However, the C. 1.8. feels that its professional prestige is at stake, and it is sparing no pains to sheet home these horrible crimes to the offender. So far the various attempts made to identify the man seen with Bessie O’Connor on the fatal night have led to nothing A man arrested at Cornmal and brought to Sydney for examination was able to satisfy the authorities as to his innocence and he was promptly releas-

ed. But there are many rumours afloat just now of sensational developments, and the police believe that by “rounding up” all the residents in the suspected area, with the help of a house-to-house visitation, they, will secure evidence that will bring the monster who perpetrated this horrible crime within the reach of the long arm of the law.