Police Attitude

NZ Truth, Issue 1195, 25 October 1928, Page 7

Police Attitude

m the case, to suggest seriously that Elsie Walker died from exhaustion after her seven miles' "walk," is arrant nonsense.

That, when found, her head was lying m a pool of blood, is hot to be explained by the fact that certain carnivora caused the bleeding, although there was definite evidence that one side of her face and her left arm were badly lacerated by other [than human agency.

The opinion of an Auckland surgeon is of the utmost importance on t^his aspect of the case.

When asked by "Truth's" investigator whether bleeding after death was possible, the medical man repUed that there was little, if any, bleeding once death had taken place. . And yet, let it be remembered, Elsie Walker's head was lying m a fairsized pool of blood. That the unfortunate girl died from- exposure, after walking seven miles, is the explanation the police apparently would have the general [ public believe! Before proceeding to< detail the evidence supporting the theory of foul play, "Truth" has a word or two. to say concerning the attitude of the Auckland police towards, the tragedy. Why have they allowed the explanation to get abroad that the girl died from natural causes (presumably) and that she drove the car alone from Te Puke? -.■■'■* Why did they not circulate the number of the car to the newspapers and solicit information from the public through the press as to the dead girl's movements, backed up by the publication of her phptograph, . which is m their possession? Apparently the circumstances of the 1 case did not seem of sufficient importance to the police at the" time to cause them to take these desirable — and highly necessary — measures.

It is the definite opinion of "Truth" that the police have not displayed the energy arid enterprise — particularly m the earlier stages of the case — which the circumstances undoubtedly Svarranted and demanded.

Is it a fact that no detective visited Te Puke, to investigate the mystery until the best part of a fortnight had elapsed? . These are questions to which the police — whose policy is reticence and "Say nothing"— may have satisfactory answers.