UNSOLVED MURDER

Hokitika Guardian, 10 March 1932, Page 7

UNSOLVED MURDER

DEATH OF CHEMIST. FRUITLESS INVESTIGATION. AUCKLAND, March 8. It is just over four months since the brutal murder of Mr Arthur James Blomfield, chemist, at his shop on the ground floor of the Pacific buildings about 5 O’clock on a busy Friday afternoon. So far the mystery is unsolved. Although no date has yet been fixed it is expected that the inquest will be resumed within the next two weeks, when it is expected that some interesting evidence will be heard. The police were confronted with one of the most puzzling crimes, and with only the slenderest clues upon which to work. The crime was committed between 4 .55 and o p.m, on Friday, October 30 Unfortunately much valuable time, about- 30 minutes, was lost before the police were informed of the attack Upon Wi 1 ;, Blomfield. It was about 5.5 p.m. when Sir Wheeler, manager of the pharmacy, returned to the shop and found .Mr Blomfield. Naturally first attention was given to the injured man. This accounts for the loss of time before the police arrived. The assailant was lucky in that nothing of a struggle or the breaking of glass was heard by passers-by. At the time of the tragedy there were hundreds of persons in the vicinity of the shop and it is not remarkable that nothing untoward was noticed. The assailant nerve after attacking the chemist was shown by the casual way he left the premises.

The investigations following the murder were placed in capable hands and the detectives handling the case made a concentrated search for evidence, wlyle inquiries in connection with the crime have been made all over the Dominion..

Was Coulton Connected? It is the opinion of more than one police officer that Lawrence Oswald Coulton, who was s(iot dead by Mr Youngs, manager of the Remuera branch of the Bank of New Zealand, on November 24, was connected in some way with the* murder of’ Mr Blomfield. Among the articles found by the police when they searched Coulton’s room in Park Road, after his death, was a piece of. iron about 18 inches long and threequarters of an inch thick. It is also known that a pair of trouser* which Coulton had worn had a piece out oil’ the bottom of each leg. The movements of Coulton after the murder of Mr Blomfield on Friday, October 30. are regarded by the police r.s being highly important. According to Coultou’s own statements his movements were:— Saturday. October 31.—Telephone message received from Mr. for "Laurie” (Coulton) to go to Christchurch on the Sunday night's express. Sunday, November I.—Coulton lel’l Auckland for Christchurch. Wednesday,, November 4. *—* L: It Christchurch for Wellington. Thursday. November o. -Left Wellington for Hamilton. Motored to Papakura. Stayed tile night with Mr . Fridav. November (i.—Arrive,] homt about y 8 30 p.m. I At the inquest upon Coulton Dp tec- j live Sergeant Doyle’s evidence showed 1 definitely that Coulti n never- went tt Christebureh. but that he was-in Dovon])ort most of the I inie. However, the police will of course no* attempt to “solve" (lie mvstorv hv casting suspicion on a dead man. Thcv will present’all fin* evidence they have, and the coroner will make the decision. It seems likely tha] oitlv an inconclusive verdict will lie returned.