NO ARREST YET

Waikato Times, Volume 122, Issue 20493, 9 May 1938, Page 8

NO ARREST YET

liner closely searched ACTIVITIES OF POLICE «. .. many statements taken (By Teiegrapn.—Press Association) BLENHEIM, Monday Investigations in connection with the suitcase murder are being pushed forward both in Pic ton and Wellington. It is understood the Picton force will be increased this evening with the arrival of two detectives from Christchurch. A very large number of statements have been taken in Picton and are being carefully sifted with a view to opening up new lines for investigation or increasing the .scope of inquiries already being pursued. This morning Inspector Lewin, of Nelson, who is in charge of the Picton inquiries, informed the press that lie had received a. definite instruction from the Commissioner to release no further information. In the meantime it has been ascertained, however, that no arrest has been made and the missing head and legs have not been discovered. So far no attempt has been made to undertake diving operations at the Picton wharf in case the missing remains were thrown into the harbour, but yesterday afternoon detectives subjected the liner Pakeha to a close search and also rowed around the wharf in a dinghy. It is understood that Dr. Lynch will not now arrive until to-morrow to conduct the post-mortem tionA LIKELY CLUE POLICE INVESTIGATIONS “ ACT OF A MENTAL CASE ” (By Telegram.—Prp<=« Association) WELLINGTON, Sunday The police had made no arrest in connection with the murder at a late hour to-night, but it is understood they are following up a likely clue and that the scene of the man hunt has been transferred from Picton to Wellington, where perhaps the crime was committed on Friday. When the Tamahine returned to Wellington she was subjected to a further thorough examination by the police. Interviewed to-night, Commissioner D. J. Cummings said the police had a clue and would know by to-morrow evening if they were on the right track. “It is a shocking crime,” said Mr Cummings. “It is more like the act of some mental case than of any normal being.”

MURDERER ON SHIP? CHECK ON PASSENGERS SEARCH FOR MISSING PARTS (Special to Times) BLENHEIM, Sunday If the body of the murdered man proves to be that of Mr E. Armstrong, a fact which probably will not be definitely known until to-morrow night, one of the most important lines of inquiry would appear to depend on the fact that the only possible way in which the body could have been taken to Picton was either on the Tamahine, which left Wellington at 2.45 p.m., or by air. The latter appears to be unlikely and it is understood that inquiries In this direction have already been made by the police. It is significant that this afternoon full passenger lists of the Tamahine were supplied to the police and are being carefully perused no doubt with a view to a series of interviews. Mortuary Examination The party of detectives from Wellington experienced considerable difficulty in making their examination of the body owing to the mortuary, which is situated in the Picton cemetery, not being equipped with light. Eventually a police car was driven to the entrance and the headlights were switched on. This provided sufficient illumination, with the addition of torches, for the examination to be conducted 'satisfactorily. An exhaustive search is likely to be made for the missing portions of the body and the possibility is that a diver will be employed at Picton. While the stab marks give rise to an immediate presumption that they were the cause of death the possibility is not overlooked by the police that the fatal injuries may have been caused previously and it is expected that on this point valuable information will be obtained at the post-mortem examination to be conducted by Dr. Lynch to-morrow afternoon.