ROADMAN FOUND DEAD

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 659, 10 May 1929, Page 1

ROADMAN FOUND DEAD

Bullet Wounds in Body MYSTERY ON MOTU ROAD (From Our Oivn Correspondent} OPOTIKI, Today. SUSPICIOUS circumstances, pointing to foul play, surround the finding of the dead body of Samuel McAleese, a Public Works Department employee, at Papamoa Hill on the Motu Road. He was discovered with a bullet wound in his chest. Near the body, in a sack, was a rifle, in two pieces, and a discharged cartridge.

The scene of what is feared to be a murder is on the Motu Road, about 25 miles from Opotiki, and is a very lonely spot. About 2.30 p.m. yesterday, Mr. G. Lappin, a surfaceman employed by the Public Works Department, found the body of McAleese lying face downward on the edge of the road in a pool of blood. Death had apparently been instantaneous. RIFLE IN TWO PIECES In the gutter of the road was a coat and a sack containing a pearifle in two pieces. A discharged cartridge vas in the breech. When the body was examined in the presence of Mr. F. J. Short, coroner, this morning, it was found that McAleese had been shot through the body. NO BULLET HOLE IN SHIRT When found the upper part of the body was clothed in a singlet and shirt. There was no sign of blood on the shirt when the shirt was removed, and the singlet was found to be covered with blood with a hole in it made by a bullet. There was no trace of a hole In tha outer garment, which apparently had been put on and buttoned up after the

shot was fired. The bullet wound was found on the front of the body, examination disclosing the bullet just under the skin at the back. EVIDENCE OF ANOTHER SHOT Foul play is suspected, and it is thought that a gash on the upper lip was caused by another bullet. Proof of this is shown by the fact that the bleeding was practically all from the lip. Detective McLeod and Inspector O’Halloran left Gisborne, and are expected to arrive at the scene of the tragedy early to-day. McAleese was 29 years of age and lived by himself. It is not known where his relatives live. A letter was found in his sleeping quarters, but it bore no address. He had been engaged in cleaning water-tables on the roads. A LONELY SPOT Paparaoa Hill is part of the mountain range between Gisborne and the Bay of Plenty, and reaches a height of 2,000 feet. It is a rugged, bushclad spot. Along the road several roadmen are employed. their little huts being perched in the bush above the highway. Service cars. passed the spot about 3 2.30 yesterday and, according to one driver, nothing unusual was noticed.