BURWOOD MURDER

Hokitika Guardian, 29 July 1927, Page 3

BURWOOD MURDER

ZY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSN., COPYRIGHT. CHRISTCHURCH, July 28. Dr A. B. Pearson, pathologist at the Christchurch Hospital, carried out a post-mortem examination of the body of the murdered girl, and the result of his investigations will not lie made public until the inquest is resumed. Several clues of varying importance were found, including the Mood-stain-ed spanner, and a blood-soaked military overcoat, ami information of some value was received when it was established that the girl had intended to travel north. For a few days before her deatli she had stayed at the Federal Hotel, but on the day before the linding of her dead liodv she had left and deposited her luggage at the tram shelter in Cathedral Square. Prior to her stay at the hotel. Miss Searff was employed at the residence of Airs Derisley Wood, Cashmere, as a domestic .servant. I lie detective staff had ninny difficulties to contend with, notably the absence of the .girl’s hag, which was said to contain letters and photographs of importance. Any due that could have any possible connection "ith the crime was carefully investigated. and many of them proved usc-

Ihe body of the murdered girl was found in the br'ooni and scrub a few yards off Lake Terrace Road, Burwood. at mid-day on June loth, by Erie Muglord ,a boy who had gone into the area to look for his father’s cows. Ihe skull had been savagelv battered by a spanner which was found later in a bush, a few yards nwav. She was lying on her back fully dressed, and her hat and coat were* ncarbv. -Also within roach, were toilet requisition neatly wrapped in brown paper, indicating that the girl proposed making a journey. The ground round about was splashed with blood. In the evening the girl was identified at the morgue by her father. Mr Walter Searff, of Thorrington St. Cashmere.