DR. TOZER’S DEATH.

Taranaki Daily News, 6 January 1921, Page 7

DR. TOZER’S DEATH.

1 THE LINDFIELD SHOOTING POLICE INQUIRIES AND POSTMORTEM. Beyond a statement made by the police that they are satisfied the shooting at Lindfield on Tuesday, which resulted in the death of Dr Tozer and the wounding of Mrs.. Mort, was not done by Dr. Tozer, there were no developments yesterday at all likely to have any bearing on the tragedy (says the Sydney Morning Herald of December 24th). The police are apparently well* satisfied that little now remains to be don?, and they saw that everything hinges on what Mrs. Mort will have to say. Detectives, photographers, and finger-print experts, were present again at the house yesterday, and the police completed a number of interviews. The correspondence found by the police has been of much assistance to them, but the text will not be disclosed until the coroner’s inquiry, the date of which will not be decided upon until Mrs. Mort is able to go into the witness-box. , Mrs. Mort, although still seriously ill, showed slight improvement yesterday, but he> condition did not permit an zinterview by the police. The report of the post-mortem on Dr. Tozer was made available yesterday. It revealed that there was a bullet wound in the head, also a perforating wound in the chest. Dr. Tozer’s coat was fastened by the bottom button which was bloodstained. The edge of the waistcoat and the buttons in front were also bloodstained. When the waistcoat was opened, a hole in the shirt with powder-stained edges and powder-stains on the area around was discovered. On opfening the shirt, a hole was found in the undershirt, which was completely opened at the flap, and the left flap had three holes, the result of being penetrated when doubled back. The clothes were saturated with blood. The skull was fractured in the frontal bone. The back and the right hand and finger were smeared slightly with blood, but. the palm was quite clear of powder stains or dirt. A bullet was recovered from the roof of the nose.

Mrs. Mort, who has two children, a yofing boy and young girl, was, prior to her marriage, a Miss Woodruff, of North Sydney. Later messages state that Mrs. Mort is in hospital under police surveillance, and her condition was causing some anxiety.