DISMEMBERED BODY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 9 May 1938, Page 4

DISMEMBERED BODY

(Continued from page 7.) The discovery was made by two seamen of the Shaw, Savill and Albion cargo liner Pakeha on the opposite' side of the wharf to the Tamahine’s berth. They were engaged in painting the side of the*"Pakeha and saw a fibre suitcase half submerged between the ship and the wharf. They immediately investigated, but in recovering the case some the sodden fabric tore away and the men were horror-stricken to observe a human hand inside. The bosun, Mr J. Robertson, had the Picton police called, and in the presence of Constables Harper and Roberts the case was hauled to the wharf. Evidence of its grisly contents was not lacking, and it was removed to the morgue to await a full examination by experts.

INQUIRY ON TAMAHINE. In the meantime the crew of the Pakeha were mustered by the master, Captain S. Oswald, and it was found that all were accounted for. Captain

Hinau Road, Hataitai. The last levy had been paid at Wellington on May 3. The contents of the other pockets included a medical prescription by a Hataitai doctor made out to Mr Armstrong, Hinau Road, Hataitai, a small sum in silver and copper, a small green and orange-coloured handkerchief, and in the hip pocket of the trousers a one pound note pinned to

Sharpe, of the Picton-Wellington ferry steamer Tamahine, also asked by the police, stated that all his crew were aboard. When the vessel was later examined by the police in Wellington it is understood everything was found to be correct. Particular importance will probably attach to the inquiry on the Tamahine, which returned to Wellington shortly after the body was found. Senior Sergeant Smyth, Blenheim, immediately informed Inspector F. Lewin, Nelson, of the discovery. Arrangements were made for a party of Wellington detectives to proceed to Picton, Detective Sergeants W. McLennan and W. R. Murray, Senior-Ser-geant W. Dinnie and a police photographer arrived at Blenheim in a spec-ially-chartered plane and went on by car to Picton, arriving shortly before 5 p.m. Inspector Lewin and Detective Hayhurst, Nelson, arrived by car.

the lining. It seemed almost certain that the dismemberment had taken place fairly recently. A severe cut was found on the right wrist and an abrasion on the right litle finger. Police information from Wellington is that Mr Armstrong was aged 55 years and was an accountant by profession, but had been unemployed during the past seven years. He was a native of Scotland and resided in Dunedin before going to Wellington in 1931. A detailed personal description is as follows: About sft‘Bin in height, slight build, bald-headed, and wearing dark clothes.

The detectives’ examination of the suitcase revealed it to be of fibre manufacture of a type reinforced by light under-bands, and a steel frame. In size it was approximately 30 inches by 18 inches. Around it was tied a length of' quarter-inch thick white rope, having some similarity to sash cord, and several lengths of thinner rope traversing the case twice from top to bottom, and once around the lengths.

The clothing on the body comprised a dark suit, the actual colour being indetermihable as the result of immersion and staining, two shirts, a fairly heavy long-sleeved singlet, and a scarf, worn as a body belt and pinned with a safety pin.

Coat, waistcoat, shirts and singlet all showed small cuts over the left side of the chest consistent with stab marks, and when the body itself was examined it was seen that the region near the heart had been stabbed three times with great strength. At least one of the thrusts must have pierced the heart. The instrument must have had a narrow blade like a dagger or stiletto. EVIDENCE OF IDENTITY. In the inside right pocket of the coat was an unemployment levy book bearing the name E. Armstrong, 20