WHO WAS THE MURDERER?

Chronicle (Levin), 11 May 1946, Page 7

WHO WAS THE MURDERER?

VERDICT IN RADCLIFFE CASE EXHAUSTIVE INQUIRIES FAIL By Telegraph — Press Association WELLINGTON, May 10. A vordict of mui'der by a person or pcrsons unknown, waa returned by tke (Joroner at an inquest today into tlie death of Miles Herbert Eadcliifie, factory manager, agcd 48, who yvas found dtrangled and battered in kis faetory on Ihe morning of February 5. An unidentilied man who, from the evidence of witnesses, was vvitli Eadcliffe about the time of his death, was stated by tlie Corouer, Mr. W,. G. Mcllish, to have a likely oonneetion with the murder. "Despi'tc all tlie publicity tliis case has rcceived and the ott'er by the police of a reward and indemnity, ho has not come fonvard and revcalcd himself," the Corouer said. "His continucd sileiiee can be vicwed only witli gravest suspieion tliat his association with Eadcliffe had a very real conneetion with the latler's dei^th. " Evidence was given concorning Iiadcliffo's movemonts the evening before his death. Witnesses testilied to seeing two meii outside or goiug into the faetory Eadciifl'e lnanaged — Adams Bruee Ltd.— in Coliege Street. Oue of tliese was Eadcliffe. A feature of the evidence was the tcstiiuoiiy of DetectiveSergoant E. ii. Compton who gave dctails of tlie cxliaustive police inquiries into the circuinstanccs of the murder. Detective Compton said immediale inquiries wero made by a uumber of deteetives on all sliips iu port at tlie time, with a view to obtaiiiing any evidence ihat may have been avaiiable before any ships sailed. All inquiries had contumed up to the present and every elfort had been made to locate a iuan or nicn secn at Ihe 1 actorv but with negative results. Eadcliffe kept a visitors' book at his iiat. All persons, so far as was possible, whose names were there, had been interviewed as well as others who were known to have visitcd Eadcliffe whethcr at his flat or at tlie faetory. A thorough search was made at the ' flat and at the ofiice for ovidence but with no resuit. All faetory hands who it was thought may have had a gricvance against Eadcliffe or for any reason at all could be suspected of being connected with the death, had been questioned. Where uceessary thcir movements during the nppropriate period, had been verilied. All persons attending the outpatieuts' depailnient at tlie public hospital during tliat time had been seen. All taxi drivers had been interviewed. Particular attention was given to public and private liotels, boarding liouses and apartnient liouses for information that may have assistcd the police. All iiouses in Coliege Street where the faetory was, were visited. Free ambulauce caiis were checked and all restaurauts canvassed. inquiries had beeu made at the post ofiice regarding all toli calls or leJegrams and registered lettCrs tliat uiav have been received or sent by Eadcliffe before his death. All dry cl'daners were visited and consequently i'iiany suits iuspected and their owne'rs interviewed regarding stains found'. Eadcliffe 's nionetary transactions were investigated but failed tq •di^-ips.es^jjiiny-thing. Friends, associates, acquaiutauc,esj relatives, members Of tlie -crimi,'na.l Adass. and any persqns suspected were interviewed aiid their movoih'ents aseerlaiuod ahd verilied where -possible. This- nicaut inquiries had to be iuade iu most parts of New Zeaiand. . "1 niadc a "thorough search of the choeolate factorv premises, botli interlor and exteiior, aud the only evidence obtainable was a boit on the bottoni oi ! tlie roller-type door close to where the liead oi: deceased was lying," wituess said. ' ' The bolt had the usual sharp | eilge and the cavity on the end that I prutruded througb the door cavity, was j I'ull of what appeared to be skin aud j hair. A rewaiJ of lioUO was offered, togellier with indemnity against prosej cutiun, L'or auyoue offering material Lnj forniation or evidence \shich would j lead to the convictiuu of the person or persons respousible for Eadcliffe 's | death. Tlie reward was advertised but no material evideuce camc to Land as a resuit, "

I The Corouer said a great deal oT i publicity had been given to what niiglit be tenned "a hiddeu chapter" of Eadcliffe 'slife. JL)id iiitness know auytliing about it? Hetective-Sergeant Compton: I have licard tliat. The police liles have statements tliat would strongly suggest it was truo. The Corouer: Have you any reason to [ eonnect it with his death? JJetective-Sergeaut Coinptou: No rea-j son whalever. Margaret Wyim Wobley, ofiice assistant at the tirand ILotel, said about tL p.in. on February 5 Eadcliffe canie toi the liotel ofiice with another man and eashed a chequc for £2. Several otlier witnesses said they had seen Eadcliffe aloue later. Htanley Watson, tearoom proprietor, said lie saw Eadcliffe standing in his shirt sieeves on the sidc of the faetory building. Wituess got the impression Eadcliffe was looking for someone but lic did not see anyone approach him or in tlie street. Minnie Adelaide Looncr, married womaii, said wliile walking into Coliege Etrcet at 8.30 p.m. slie saw two men approach the Adams Bruce faetory. Oue of theni reaehed up to tlie lock of the door. It appeared to her lie was trying to put a key in the lock. "They were only there for about two rninute* or less but 1 ain quite sure they made some attempt to opeii the door," said wituess. "i saw the two men speak to eacli other. They looked down at what they had in their hands and left the doorway but I did not wateh whiek way they went." William Jolin Eiley, packer at TlionipEon, Lewis Ltd., at Tlie corner of Tory aud Coliege Streets, said wliile walking along Coliege Etreet just before 9 p.m. lie saw two -men stop at the ilrst doorway of Adams Bruce's faetory and saw thcm go into the faetory through the door. Horace Edwai'd Phillips, pay elerk, gave evidence that ke saw a man standing in front of the door of the faetory about 9.15 p.m. "The man looked at nie. lie was standing close to the door," said wituess. "He then openI ed the door, went into ihe faetory, and I elosed the door liehind liiui. The facI tory was in darkncss at the time." - 1 Dr. J. 0. Mercer, pathologist, who [conduc.ted. a postmorfem eAnininntinT],

said his conclusions were tliat the eause of Eadcliffe 's death was maimai strangulation wliile lying on the floor where he was strangied. He was struck s"everal severe blows on the front of tlie face and at the saine time the head was violently foreed on a nut and boit. The doctor* thought death oceurred about 12 liours before his examination. which would lie before midniglit 011 the Tuesday night. "Only a powerful assailant could have effeeted the in.juries I have described, added witness, _ (