PALMERSTON TRAGEDY

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 50, Issue 150, 7 April 1930, Page 4

PALMERSTON TRAGEDY

DEATH OF W. E. PRICE. THE INQUEST ADJOURNED. (Per Press Association.) PALMERSTON NORTH, April 5. The inquiry into the death of Walter Edwin Price, builder, of Palmerston North, was continued by the Coroner (Mr J. L. Stout) this morning. Price was found dead in a bedroom at his home in Eeatherston Street with a gunshot wound near the mouth. Mrs Wilson said that from her knowledge her soni did not see John Price between 5 p.m. and 4.45 p.m. oil March 5.

Recalled Edward Wilson said that he saw John Price at 5 p.m. on the day of the tragedy. No reference was n ade then to the causo of his father’s death.

E. G. Webber, a journalist, said that lie saw John Price on March 8, and asked him when lie first knew his father was shot. He said it was about 4 o’clock on the day he was found.

George Gilbert Hancox said he heard a report after midnight. It was similar to the discharge of a gun, and came from the direction of Price’s house.

Dorothy whose parents are neighbours of the Prices’, said that on March 5 John Price came to their house about 8 a.m and asked for her father, saying, “My father is dead.” He then yrent to see witness’s father, walking at an ordinary pace. His demeanous was calm and collected, and he was not hurried or excited. She saw John Price again at 10 a.m. at his home. His manner had not altered, and he showed no sign of agitation. Witness went to Price’s house and helped the son to clean up the house between 10 and 10.30 a.m. His manner was still the same. Price came to their place i,o dinner. Later reference was made to his father’s death. During that Time John Price was perfectly normal, and showed no signs of distress. William Nagle, retired farmer, gave evidence as to beinpr informed by John Price of his father’s death. He and Brogden and Price, jun., went to the house and on the arrival of the doctor they went into the bedroom. Witness said the body, before removal, was under the bed up to the upper part of the chest. His left hand was extended from the body. Of this he was quite positive,, and if the doctor said the opposite, ' witness would still maintain that he was right.

Witness said that there were no signs of disorder about the room. From what he_ saw he would say that Price died where he was found. The .Coroner remarked that he would like to get to the bottom of the reason for jQnn Price remarking to the Nagles, “I cannot be hanged for that.”

Witness said he saw Price the night before he died. He seemed cheerful, talking about the house he was building. Witness had agreed to finance Price’s building operations so long as the securitv was there.

The inquest was adjourned to Frida v.