Still Finger-printing In Wairoa Murder Case

Chronicle (Levin), 15 February 1949, Page 6

Still Finger-printing In Wairoa Murder Case

Press Association)

(Per

WAIROA, Peb. 13. Two montlis have passe'd siuee the body of Herbert William Brunton, a G9-year-old retired railway guard, was found in a one-roomed hut in which he lived, but an intensive police search has failed to iind any elues. The total of lingerprints takeii(is oflicially estimated at over 5200, and although tli,e work is still going on this figure .yrill not rise muclx more, as those people being'done novv are mostly scattered country residents who were missed at first. There are. also a few people vv:ho are absent from the town on holiday, and who will have to be fingerprinted on thcir return. Pingetprinting' otqupies the attention of most of _the force during the day, and statements are also taken from residents in the evening. These statements are indexed 'and filed for checking work. The searc-li is extending furth Binfield, but the investigators are hanipered by two important unknown l'actors. There is nothing at all to indicate the motive, and the murderer's sex "Sk js not known. Inquiries since the departure of Mr. J. B. Young for his new post as superintendent in Dunedin, have been under the charge of Inspector D. McKenzie, of Hastings. .More than 20 detec-tives and uni1'ormed men are working on the case, but the strength of the force fluctuates as ineu are called back to their home centres for ]>eriods.