MURDER OF VICAR.

Waikato Times, Volume 118, Issue 19765, 21 December 1935, Page 5

MURDER OF VICAR.

CRIME IN AUSTRALIA. SIGNS OF A STRUGGLE. GREAT FEAR OF THIEVES. MELBOURNE, December 17. Detectives are investigating a theory that Rev. Harold Laceby Cecil, 59 whose battered body was found recently in his Fitzroy vicarage, was attached by two men who called on him pretending that they wanted to arrange ■a marriage. The marriage books were found open on -a table in the hall. The Anglican Archbishop (Dt; Head), learned from vestrymen of the dead vicar’s church that the murderer had almost certainly been attracted to the vicarage by reports that Mr Laceby Cecil was holding -there money collected to give the parish poor a Christmas treat. The detectives discovered a large motor spanner at the Vicarage. It is believed that stains upon it indicate that it ivas the weapon used to kill Mr Laceby Cecil. On the dead minister’s head, -however, there was a long gash 'extending down to the neck, cutting the Jugular vein, which appeared to have been caused by a sharp knife or dagger. The police, on a table in the house, also found nine unopened letters containing £27 towards the Christmas ap-. peal. Fear of Thieves Mr Laceby Cecil had such a fear of burglars that he recently had had all the trees and shrubs removed from his largp front garden so that they would not provldo a hiding-place for intruders. Ho aso kept an iron bar beside his bed- ThJs bar is missing. Four times In recent months Mr Laceby Cecil had been disturbed by intruders, who -apparently were acquainted with -the fact that the minister lived alone and was in the habit of spending most of the daylight hours visiting the sick and needy poor. His homo had contained a number of valuables, and at times considerable money, but recently he divided some of his most cherished collections among friends -and relatives. The police have no doubt that the murderer believed the minister had left his home for the day when the house was entered in a search for plunder, and that the intruder was surprised when the victim unexpectedly returned. Signs of Struggle There Is evidence of a desperate struggle both in the study and in the hall of the vicarage. The minister was a well-built, athletic man, standing over 6ft in height and weighing Just under 15st. Ho had previously shown courage in chasing down a dark lano at tho rear of his home a man whom lie had surprised in his backyard. Mr Laceby Cecil was a single man and lived alone in the eight-roomed vicarage, using four of Ihe rooms and keeping the others closed. After visiting the scene of the tragedy with the Bishop of Geelong (ltt. Hew J. .T. Booth), Archbishop Head said: “Mr Cecil has really been martyred because lie loved bis people, sii well Hint, lie would lake nu care of himself against intruders." (