Taxi-driver Found Dying

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 7288, 16 October 1933, Page 6

Taxi-driver Found Dying

Struck on Bead by Unknown Assailant

MOTIVE FOE CRIME NOT YET ASCERTAINED

Per Press Association

AUCKLAND, Last Night,

Dying from a blow oil the head, delivered by an unknown assailant, a taxi-cab driver was found at the wheel of his cab by a milkman who was delivering milk in Mount Koskill shortly before (5 o’clock this morning. There was no sign of a struggle, nor of the implement with which the blow was struck. The injured man was rushed to the Auckland Hospital, but died as he was being admitted. The victim was James Blair, aged 53, of Newton, married, with three children, and employed by the Chess Taxi Cabs, being an auxiliary driver engaged on night duty. Wheu it was discovered the taxi was standing in King’s road, oil’ Dominion road, and near the corner of Parua street, formerly known as Dover’s Lane. The vehicle was standing iu a normal position at the left side of the road, which has houses upon each side at fairly close intervals for its entire length. It is thought that the attack was made about two hours before the discovery, as the taxi was wet with dew as though it had been standing for some time. The engine had stopped, but the taxi-meter was still ticking, and it registered 18s. The motive for the crime has not yet been ascertained with any degree of definiteness. Blair had some money in his possession when found, but it is not known whether he had any further sum which his assailant took. His entry-book showed 37s worth of work done, but that is not held to indicate he had 37s in cash on his person when the attack took place. It is believed that his assailant was a “fare” who hailed Blair in the street. It is a matter of routine for ttax-drivers to ring their central office upon returning to their stand aftci completing a job, and Blair rang nis office about 3.10 this morning, having then returned to has stand in Upper Queen street. From that time onwards nothing more was heard of him until ho was found. No oue iu the street where the taxi was found had any idea of the tragic happening until they were awakened by the police, who arrived in force and immediately commenced intensive investigations, including a search for the weapon. No arrest has been made, and no weapon found.