POLICE PRAISED

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21193, 16 August 1940, Page 6

POLICE PRAISED

WORK AT WAIKINO INQUEST IN TWO VICTIMS DIFFICULT CASE UNRAVELLED (By Telegraph.—Press Association) WAIHI, Friday A tribute to the police was paid by the district Coroner, Mr W. M. Wallnutt, this morning, when the inquest concerning the deaths of Mrs Elizabeth Agnes Hamilton, aged 27, and Lloyd Moran, aged 15, victims of the Waikino tragedy of April 2, was concluded. Detective-Sergeant J. Thompson, of Hamilton, appeared for the police. After medical and police evidence had been given, the coroner returned a verdict that Mrs Hamilton died at Waikino on April 2 from laceration of the brain, inflicted with a tyre lever by one Douglas Herbert Cartman, and that Moran died on the same date from a fractured skull and laceration of the brain, there being no conclusive evidence as to the origin of his injuries. “As one fully conversant with the general circumstances, I would like to pay tribute to the police for the manner in which they cleared up this shocking tragedy, which right from the first presented problems exceedingly difficult to unravel,” said the coroner. “The effect on the public mind throughout this and adjoining districts was very marked, and was credited with the most distressing complex of fear. The achievement of the police, therefore, is worthy of the highest commendation.”