THE HAELEY STREET MYSTERY.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XXII, Issue 9188, 12 August 1880, Page 2

THE HAELEY STREET MYSTERY.

(Aberdeen Journal, June 12th.) In prosecuting an enquiry such as that which is now going on by the police, in reference to the discovery of a body of a woman in a tub in Harloy street, there is a good deal of ground to be cleared. First, as to the probable date of the death. Secondly, whether a person is likely to commit suicide, and if the discovery of the body was in such a position as to make it at all likely that suicide was possible. Then the police authorities have to find out whether anyone has been missing, and also if the various servants in Mr Henrique's house who have at various times left his service can be (raced. It appears that in tracing out the servants the police have so far been successful, and the whole of them, both male and female, are accounted for. The next thing which has to be cleared up is the time when the deed was perpetrated. Now it appears that Mr Henr'que's present butler came into the service about the month of November, 1878, and soon after he came he noticed an unpleasant smell in the cellar. The doctors say that with lime about it a body would not become offensive until about two months after death, so that it would probably be about August, 1878, when the act was committed. Prom the medical examination it appeared that the body is that of a short woman. When put into the tub it had on a chemise, drawers, stockings, and garters, as portions of these garments have been found adhering to the body, and the materials are of a common description, indicating that the victim was of humble position in life. The age is put by the doctors at about 40 years ; but it is thought by some of the faculty that she may have been younger. There also appears to be divided opinion as to the cause of death, the traces of external violence being doubtful. Certain marks on the right breast are thought to be clots of blood, but this is doubtful. Dr Bond, who took away with him a piece of the thigh bone, will probably be able to Bpcak more definitely as to the age of deceased. On Saturday the medical gentlemen engaged in the case held another consultation, with a view of clearing up some of the points npon which they did not agree. With reference to the tub in which tho deceased was found, it appears tint it was one that was -used for sugar, Mr Henri - ques being a merchant, and this was brought, as was the custom, with goods for household consumption, and many of the same description were about the cellar. The first difficulty the police have to contend with is in reference to the identity of the deceased. If this could be found out, tho subsequent Boarch would not be so difficult. Mr Superintendent Draper, who has charge of the investigation, ia making the most rigid enquiries in quarters where information is likely to be found, and is not without hopes -of tracing something definite. An offipial communication from the Detective Department at Scotland Yard states that the front teeth of the Body found are very peculiar, being unusually short, and having blunt ends, as if they had been sawn. The body ia that of a woman between 40 and 50 years of age, in poor and probably unfortunate circumstances, of short stature, and having dark brown hair. It has been dead from eighteen months to three years. Any information as to persons answering 'to this description missing about the period stated should be seat to Superintendent Draper, Marylebone Lane i'olice Station. Up to a late hour on Sunday, the police had failed to gain any further information on the subject, although the belief is that they are on the right track to discover the mystery. The inquest upon the remains was opened by Dr Hardwicke, the poronep fas Mi44lese3;. A furthor medical examination of the human remains found in the cellar in Harley Street was made on Sunday by two medical men, one of whom was appointed by the Coroner to give a special opinion for the inquest. Their belief is that beyond doubt a murder has been committed, and that there is sufficient evidence to show that the regains, are those of a- femaJp about thirty years of age. Dr Hardwicke, the Coroner, opened an inquest in London on Monday on the death of the human being whose remains wepe foi}n4 in thp fub in the house 137 Hailey-street. The jury, as soon as the inquest was opened, proceeded to tho public mor* tuary and viewed the body, after which the Deputy-Coroner explained at length the manner in which the body was found. Inspector Lucas stated that the body was in tho tub bent backwards. Mr Henriques, occiipier of the Ijquse in which the remains werp found, stated that he had given a list of all his servants to the police. He usually went away six weeks in summer, leaving the house in charge of a person not a regular servant. The butler spoke as to finding the remains in the cellar. Dr Spurgin said, when called, he found the body in a tub, with the knees upwards and the head down. The head was bent backwards, the right arm bent across the- breast, and one hand placed on the upper part of the hip. Dr Poppet said the result of his examination led him to believe the body was that of a femalo, and that she met her death probably by being stabbpd in tho breast. The enquiry was adjourned.