BLAKELOW MURDER

Hokitika Guardian, 26 August 1931, Page 6

BLAKELOW MURDER

POLICE INVESTIGATIONS. . (By Telegraph —Per Press Association j PALMERSTON N., August 26. The police are continuing investigations into the murder of Edwin John Blakelow who was found early on Monday morning shot dead by the roadside at Karire. No arrest has yet been made. A denial is given to the rumour that, some one had been detained. The police are making stringent investigations concerning tile nature of the gun from which the bullets were fired. It was learned to-day there had come into tlie possession of deceased a letter threatening to kill him. The police have been prosecuting a vigorous search for this letter, but it is not known if successful.

Two persons are at least known to have seen deceased’s cycle on the side of the road shortly after eleven of the night of the tragedy. A certain development is held to strongly support the motive of robbery. When deceased was found, his overcoat was fastened with the exception of a button at tlie neck. It is considered impossible for him to have crawled after he was shot into the position where he was found.

An interesting report is that bloodstains were found in the lining of the dead man’s pockets. There are reasons for the belief that the shots were fired from a revolver.