Road Mystery Still Baffles Investigators

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 666, 18 May 1929, Page 1

Road Mystery Still Baffles Investigators

WHO MOVED THE BODY? ACCIDENT THEORY NOT PROVED (From Our Own Correspondent) OPOTIKI, Today. Public interest here concerning the cause of the death of the roadman, Samuel McAleese, if anything, is increasing, although no new developments have taken place during the last few days. There is a general feeling that, as the police continue their investigations, developments will result. The opinion that death was caused by McAleese throwing the bag down is rapidly losing ground. The fact that the shovel and the sugar-bag containing the dismantled pea-rifle were only about a foot apart does away with the theory that McAleese threw the bag into the water-table from a distance. The fact that the rifle could he set off by dealing the bolt-head a sharp blow in no way proves that this occurred. So far as can be ascertained, no bloodstains were found on the sack. There is no shadow of doubt that McAleese was carried by one or more persons, as the body was not cbumpled up, as would have happened if it had fallen down. McAleese was placed on the edge of the road completely outstretched, with his face down, and arms down parallel with the body. NOT CONSIDERED DEAD “Scotty” Lappln admits carrying water some distance, and throwing it on McAleese’s head. Except for turning the body on its back, he definitely states that he did not interfere otherwise with any other part of McAleese. The water was thrown on his head in an attempt to revive him, as at first it was not considered that he was dead. The question the police have to solve is who placed the body on the edge of the road. It is understood that the police have taken possession of all firearms belonging to workmen engaged In widening the new Opotiki-Matawai Road. Most of the men employed are relief workers. The cause of the death of the roadman appears to be one of the most baffling in the history of the Dominion. It is considered in some quarters that the police are in possession of important evidence which is not yet ready to be disclosed.