APPEAL FROM PULPIT

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 77, 1 September 1942, Page 4

APPEAL FROM PULPIT

INFORMATION WANTED ABOUT MURDERED WOMAN Wairoa, Aug. 31. The police have taken the course, probably for the first time in the criminal history of New Zealand, of appealing to the public through the pulpit, as well as the Press. In all Wairoa churches yesterday the clergy, at the police request, asked any member of the congregation with information about Brigadier Smyth's movements on August Bth to come j forward. The bodies of Brigadier Annie Smyth and her sister, Rosamund Jane Smyth, were found with their heads battered in the Wairoa Salvation Army Hall on August 21. The police now state that the brigadier was seen on August 8 near tiie intersection of Paul and Lucknow streets between 5.20 and 5.30 p.m. with a bicycle. She was not then going in the direction of her home. The bicycle was found later in the washhouse of the hall. The police want to know the brigadier’s movements after 5.30. Chief Detective Young said the police were going “eyes out” to clear up the mystery and were very grateful for the great help given by the public. As some women in Wairoa seemed to be apprehensive, the Commissioner of Police, through the inspector in charge of the inquiry, had made provision for adequate protection.