DEEP MYSTERY

Hokitika Guardian, 5 October 1929, Page 2

DEEP MYSTERY

TOORAK GIRL’S DEATH. ABSENCE OF MOTIVE. SYDNEY, September 19. Though the detectives who are investigating the death hfst week at Toorak, the fashionable Melbourne suburb, of Miss Norma McLeod, aged 29, have failed up to the present to obtain any definite clue as to the identity of the person, who, it. is believed, struck the blow that killed her, they are still hopeful of clearing up the mystery. At least, they make it appear as though they are hopeful, but it is known that the task that has been set them is extraordinarily severe, and a solution extremely unlikely. It is customary for Melbourne detectives, however, to appear optimistic, no matter how hopeless a case may be. Usually they say, "An arrest is expected at any moment,” and it is noticeable that on this occasion they have made no such boast.

The only point clear about the whole strange case is that Miss McLeod was found by her mother in a dying state. She liad been left alone in the house, preparing to go golfing with a friend. Only one hour elapsed between the departure of her mother from the house and the time a friend rang the house and received no answer. When her mother returned she found the girl lying on her bed grievously wounded as though with a blunt instrument. It was at first suggested that Miss McLeod may have fallen while she was dressing and struck her head, but this seems to be most unlikely. The theory is not supported by medical evidence, and the girl’s father, Major Norman McLeod, says that he is convinced that there has been foul play. The suggestion that Miss McLeod had fallen while in the bath was discounted by the fact that when she was found by her mother she was all ready for the golfing outing that she had planned. Moreover, her shoes had been kicked off. At any rate the shoes were found on the floor, and Major McLeod says that his daughter was of such a tidy nature that she would not have gone round the house even with her shoe straps undone. He concludes, therefore, that if she had fallen and hurt herself, she shoes would have remained on her feet. • There was no alternative but for the

detectives to work on the assumption that Miss MriLeod was attacked possibly by a hawker. It is suggested that she surprised a man who had entered the house, and in this connection it had been pointed out that thieves have entered the house at least thrice during the last twelve months. It was reasonable to assume, therefore, that another attempt may have been made to rob the bouse after Mrs McLeod had been seen to depart. The thief may have been discovered by the girl, and may have been attacked. However, nothing has been missed from tbe house, and the absence of a definite motive for the murder of the girl, who was of a quiet and charitable disposition, is one of the most baffling aspects of the crime, if crime it be. It is possible to believe that the girl was not murdered, but if she was not done to death by some callous intruder how did she- meet with her dreadful head injuries?

The detectives say that they have cleared up several doubtful points, and that the next few days should indicate whether they will lie successful in their inquiries. They are convinced that a blow was struck, and that afterwards the girl was lifted on to a bed and her shoes removed, so that she would bo

more comfortable. Still they have no lixed ideas one way or the.other.

Harry Laud or, the famous comedian, is a great smoker. His pipe is his constant companion in all his travels. A right good companion, too! It heightens enjoyment ' when tilings are going well, cheers and solaces when the clouds gather. The man who doesn’t smoke doesn’t know what he is missing. He will te.ll you that tobacco is injurious—so it is—sometimes. The imported tobaccos (many of them full of nicotine) cannot he smoked habitually with safety Hut the National Tobacco Company’s brands—grown and manufactured in New Zealand—with hardly any nicolino in them—aire not only safe smoking, no matter how freely you indulge lmt ' are the most fragrant and delicious on the market. They owe their fine quality and freedom from nicotine to the toasting of the leaf, in which respect they differ from all ether tobaccos. The National Tobacco Company arc the pioneers of the N.Z. tobacco industry in New Zealand. Popular brands: “Rivorhlead Child” (a mild aromatic), “Cavendish” (a delightful medium), “Navy Cut” (a choice blend), and •‘Cut Plug No. 10” (Bullshead, rich dark and full-flavoured). —Advt.