SEARCH FOR CAR

Waikato Times, Volume 126, Issue 21082, 8 April 1940, Page 8

SEARCH FOR CAR

INQUIRIES BY POLICE

WAIKINO MYSTERY UNSOLVED FEELING IN DISTRICT (Times Special Reporter) WAIKINO, Monday Nearly a week has elapsed since Mrs Alice Hamilton and Lloyd Moran, of Waikino, lost their lives under suspicious circumstances, and the mystery surrounding their deaths has not been solved. Although many theories have been advanced, both by the police and to them, it appears certain that the police theory of a motor vehicle striking the pair as they were walking along the road is the correct one. The police investigations have continued throughout the week-end. The concentration on the search for a damaged motor-car or truck indicates that they have not changed their opinion that the circumstances of the deaths of the woman and the boy followed an accident. Investigations to trace a motor vehicle that must have been damaged through the impact and which, more than likely, would contain blood stains, bearing evidence of the transportation of the bodies, have proceeded apace, and a very wide field has already been covered. Private garages in all towns and districts are being searched, with the permission of owners, while the whereabouts of all cars in the territory are also being traced. Concentration of Police The concentration of so many police and detectives in the Waihi-Waikino-Paeroa area indicates that the police are fully aware of the difficulty of a motor vehicle travelling very far with short notice owing to the petrol restrictions. As the crime occurred on the second day of the month, it is suggested in some quarters that the car or truck had more benzine in it than usual through the owner’s having expended all the previous month’s coupons at the end of the month. However, as Easter fell in March it is likely that the person did not have very much benzine left. For so early in April, it is suggested that he would not have used many April coupons. With the time factor so greatly against the police no pains are being spared to check the movements of all cars. It was hoped by the police that the vehicle involved would have been discovered by the week-end, as time would allow much of the evidence to be eradicated. However, the investigators are confident that even although the search may take some little time, they will ultimately be successful. Search For Tweed Skirt The elucidation of the mystery hinges on the discovery of the motor vehicle and the explanation of his movements by the driver. The only article of clothing from the dead woman’s body that has not been found is a tweed skirt. The police are making an exhaustive search for this garment. The public is still maintaining an intense interest in the developments, and all manner of information is being received regarding the movements of cars, particularly those damaged or with only one headlight burning. As is usual in mysteries of this type, various theories and solutions are being sent in to the police. Superintendent C. W. Lopdell, of Hamilton, again visited the scene of the crime and Waihi and Paeroa today. Feeling Among Residents The psychological effect of the tragedy is easily apparent to anyone visiting the district, but is even more so to people acquainted with the area. Formerly at Waikino it was the practice of many of the residents to pass a fine evening in a walk along the main road or over some of the side roads. Latterly, however, the residents have shown a strong disinclination to wander far after dark. Paeroa appears to be following much its usual mode of living in the evenings, but at Waikino and Waihi more concern is being felt, and at nights the streets present a deserted appearance. Last night a newspaper representative stationed at Waikino in connection with the mystery experienced forcible evidence of this unrest among the settlers when he attempted to stop a car after dusk in order to ascertain whether he was on the correct road. Immediately he was noticed by the driver of the car the vehicle was accelerated, and driven furiously past the figure on the roadside.