WAIROA MURDERS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 24 August 1942, Page 4

WAIROA MURDERS

POLICE ACTIVELY AT WORK NO IMPORTANT DISCLOSURE YET MADE. MEMORIAL SERVICE CONDUCTED. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WAIROA, This Day. It has now been established that Brigadier Smyth was last seen on August 10, when she was noticed by a neighbour hanging washing on a clothes line. In addition to a table being set for one, there were also discovered on the kitchen table articles for sewing, but no sign of work having been completed. Possibly one of the victims noticed that a person for whom a meal was being prepared required some repairs to wearing apparel and intended doing this, but was attacked before commencing the work. Inquiries regarding the non-collec-tion of mail disclosed that when a postal clerk saw that a slot in the door was jammed by papers left earlier, use was macle of an open window to drop correspondence through, it being believed that the Smyths had left Wairoa for a holiday oi’ some other purpose. The police are still here in full force and were busily engaged throughout the night and again this morning making further inquiries, but up to a late hour they had nothing further to release for the Press. At various churches yesterday, reference was made to the tragic happening, sympathy being extended to relatives and to the Army as a whole, while last evening a memorial service was conducted in the Presbyterian Church. The large congregation included many Salvationists. INQUEST OPENED BURIALS TO TAKE PLACE IM WELLINGTON. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WAIROA, August 23. An inquest was opened before the coroner, Mr V. E. Minter, and was adjourned. Evidence of identification was given by Mr C. C. Smyth, brother of the women, who is manager of the Union Bank of Australia, Pahiatua. The funeral of both women will take place in Wellington on Wednesday, after a service in the Vivian Street Citadel. The bodies went down by train today. References to the tragedy were made in all Wairoa churches today.