DEATH OF CHEMIST.

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 379, 22 March 1932, Page 12

DEATH OF CHEMIST.

Inquiry into Auckland Murder Case. NO FRESH EVIDENCE. Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, March 21. Few new facts were brought to light concerning the murder of Arthur James Blomfield, manager 0/ Mackay’s dispensary in the Pacific Buildings, Wellesley Street, when the inquest into his death was resumed this afternoon. Mr Blomfield died in the Auckland Public Hospital five hours after he had been brutally battered about the head in the rear of the pharmacy about 5 p.m. on October 30. Before the first witness was called a solicitor rose and said he was representing Mr and Mrs Coulton, the parents of the man who was shot by a bank officer at Remuera on November 24. Sub-Inspector Gibson: I don’t think anyone of that name will be mentioned. Counsel: I understand it is going to be put forward by the police that Coulton was the murderer. The Coroner: You understand wrongly. Counsel: That is according to the newspapers. Sub-Inspector Gibson: Yes, according to the newspapers but not to the police. Sixteen Wounds on Head. Deceased was found to have been fatally injured by sixteen wounds on the head caused by repeated blows by a blunt instrument, no trace of which was found. Deceased had been left alone in the shop while the assistants went for their evening meal. A customer saw a young man come from the back of the shop and, after remarking, “He will be here any minute,” the young man left the shop. Later it was found that money had been taken from the shop till. Tow’ards the close of the evidence counsel for Coulton’s parents asked, “ Can I take it as definite that the police are not going to blame Coulton for the murder? Statements suggesting that have been published in the newspapers and apparently they came from the police.” Sub-Inspector Gibson: They did not come from the police. Wilfully Inflicted. No reference was made to Coulton in the evidence, at the conclusion of which the Coroner stated: ‘“Very extensive inquiries have been made, but the evidence does not lead to any definite conclusion. That the wbunds were wilfully inflicted there can be no doubt. I can only find that deceased died in Auckland Hospital from injuries as described in the medical evidence, the injuries being caused by repeated blows from some weapon.” He added that the evidence showed that the blows must have been inflicted by some person who entered the shop about 5 p.m. “ Other than that there is nothing for me to say,” concluded the Coroner.