WOMAN MURDERED.

Hokitika Guardian, 16 June 1927, Page 2

WOMAN MURDERED.

A REVOLTING tragedy. (Ry Telegraph—. Per Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, June 15. - A woman, whose age is supposed to have been about 30 or 35 years, was murdered this morning, or last night, in a thick growth of lupins in a paddock at Burwood, a suburb, about four miles from tlie city. The woman’s head bore two terrible wounds, one over each eye. It is not known exactly when the murder occurred, whether last night or early to-day.

'l'he body was found by a boy, Eric Mumford, aged 15, at about 1.30 o’clock tliis afternoon. He communicated at once with the Rev. C. A. Tobin, vicar of tlie parish, who went to the scene and found the dead womn n.

The body was that of a short and fairly stout woman. Her dark short hair was matted with blood, and there was much blood on the ground round Where the body lay. There was a light blue waterproof coat, which was covered with blood. Near by was a sliort umbrella, of stylish shape and also a parcel and attache ease, containing a night dress, brush and comb, and other women’s requisites.

The scene of the tragedy is only 20 feet from the roadway. The boy Mumford’s statement is that he saw a man running from the scene. He lmtl frequently during the past month seen a woman meet a man corresponding with the description of tlie man seen running away. The meetings occurred at lunch time, the woman arriving on foot and the man by tram from the city.

The boy does not state that he saw them meet to-day. The woman, he says, usually carried an attache case, similar to that found beside the body. It was their custom to sit down in the broom at tlie spot where the body was found and to eat their lunch together.

The police found a tuft of longish dark brown hair, unlike the dead woman’s hair, near the body. Tlie indications pointed to this hair having been pulled from the head of the murderer in the struggle. A doctor who examined the body said the wounds probably were made with some sharp-edged instrument, probably an iron. In addition to the two severe wounds on the forehead, the doctor found oth. er smaller wounds on the back of the head.

The police have not yet found the weapon with which the murder was committed.

CHRISTCHURCH, June 15. Regarding the murder, the police refuse all information to-night. Thev refuse to state whether the dead woman had been identified or whether an arrest has been made.

THE- MURDER VICTIM. CHRISTCHURCH, June 16. The murder victim is identified as Gwendoline Scarff, of 11, Thorrington St. Cashmere, single, in service, not living at home. Her father is Walter Scarff, member of Heathcote County Council. Deceased was 20 years of