TAXI-CAB MURDER

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 3, Issue 663, 16 October 1933, Page 5

TAXI-CAB MURDER

(Press Assn.—

auckland crime driver found dying at wheel of his car NO TRACE OF ASSAILANT

-By Telegraph— Copyright).

Auckland, Sunday. Dying from a blow on the head, delivered by an unknown assailant, a taxi-driver, James Blair, was found at. the wheel of his cab by a milk-man who was deliVering milk at Mt. Roskill shortly before six o'clock this morning. There was no sijjn of a struggle nor the implemerit witR wh'ich the hlow had' been struck. The injured man was rushed to tihe Auckland Hospital but died as he was admitted. The victim was aged 53 years, of Newton, married with three children and he was employed by the Chess Taxi Co. being an auxiliary driver employed on night duty. "When the diseovery was made, the taxi was standing in King's Road off Dominion Road and near the corner of Parua Street, formerly known as Lovefs' Lane. The vehicle v/as standing in a normal position at the left side of the road which has houses on eaeh side and at fairly close intervals for its ,-entire length. It is thought that the attack was made about two hours before the diseovery of the injured man as the taxi was wet with " deW as though it had been standing for some time. The engine had stopped but the taxi-meter was - still ticking. It registered 18/-. The motive for the crime has not yet been ascertained with any degree of definiteness. Blair had some money in his possession when found but it is not known whether he had a further sum which his assailant took. His entry hook showed 37/- worth of work done but that is not held to indicate that he had 37/- in cash on his person when the attack took place. It is believed that the assailant was a fare who hailed Blair in the street. It is a matter of routine that taxidrivers ring their eentral office upon returning to their stands after completing a job and Blair rang his office about 3.40 this morning having then returned to his stand in Upper Queen Street. From that time onwards, nothing more was heard of him until he was found. No one in the street where the taxi was found had any idea of the tragic happening until awakened by the police who arrived in force and immediately commeneed an extensive investigation including a search for the weapon. No arrest has been made and no weapon has been found.