BURR MYSTERY RESEMBLES DISAPPEARANCE OF MRS MOUAT

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19236, 25 November 1930, Page 7

BURR MYSTERY RESEMBLES DISAPPEARANCE OF MRS MOUAT

Intensive Search For Missing Mill Worker Carried On Near Greymouth.

(Special to the “ Star.”) 0 GREYMOUTH, November 25. INVESTIGATIONS into the disappearance of Ernest Burr, a West Coast mill worker, since November 8, have presented to the police a mystery which has an equal in recent years only in the famous Mouat case. Similar features are apparent except for the discovery of any trace of the missing victim.

It is now seventeen days since Burr disappeared from Marsden, and the sixth day of the search opens with the police very little further ahead in their investigations. Each succeeding day makes the problem more difficult of solution. Descriptions of the location of the blood stains on the wall and bedstead, if they have any connection with the mystery, indicate that the occupant of the bed had been struck on the head with a blunt instrument, and the blood splashed on the wall as the weapon was raised for a second blow. The stains went up the wall to a height of seven feet.

r If no trace of Burr is found during 2 the next few days it is probable that 2 the wall paper will be submitted for analysis, though this is an expensive r process. No tests have been taken of •’ soot in chimneys as it is stated that f there were no signs of fire in the stove. Burr’s relatives have given up all 2 hope that he will be found alive, and , are pressing that the police investiga--2 tions should be taken as far as possible, f They themselves have w r orked untiring--1 ly in the search. 1 To-day again large parties of civilians l and police have set out in the search, - and though the weather again looks f threatening, it is hoped to extend the area covered considerably.