WHAT HE THOUGHT NOW

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 46, 23 February 1929, Page 12

WHAT HE THOUGHT NOW

NOT A RELEVANT QUESTION. SUPERINTENDENT CROSSEXAMINED. "EVERYTHING POSSIBLE WAS DONE." Superintendent Wohlmann continued his evidence this morning. Mr. C'urrie: Were there any district orders issued?— Yes, those produced are the ones. The telephone message from Constable Maloney of October 3 was handed to you?— Yes. The message was one concerning the missing car, belonging to Frank Bayly. It was found at Papatoetoe. Was the message reported to you as officcr-in-charge of Constable Maloney's district?—A copy of all messages is delivered to all the inspectors, chief detective and myself. You are aware that Constable Maloney

did not know at the time of finding the car that Elsie Walker was missing ?— The information was sent to liim° on October 3. I don't know whether he received it. Constable Collins reported on the finding of the body on October 6. In what capacity?—As oflicer-in-charge of the district. There was at this stage comment from counsel on the preparation of the files. Mr. A. H. Jolmstone, with a weighty pile of files in his hand, complained that he could not follow Mr. Currie's references, because their files were not prepared in the same way. Mr. Moody suggested that the files should be prepared in chronological order of dates, but Mr. Page thought that was unsuitable. ..Continuing his evidence, Superintendent Wohlmann said he did not have anything to do with a special notice inserted in the Police Gazette. Asked why he took charge of the inquiry instead of Inspector Hollis, the witness said it was arranged as it was more suitable, Inspector Hollis having heavy daily duties to perform, which would have to he delegated if lie assumed charge of the inquest proceedings. Two Branches Not Water-Tight. Mr. A. H. Johnstone, who appeared for the three inspectors, cross-examined the superintendent as to his experience in the force, and went on to comment

011 a statement made yesterday, suggesting that the uniform branch was not capable of doing certain work that should be done by the detective branch. Witness said the force was homogeneous, and although there was a separate detective branch, the members of the two branches were interchangeable, and he had seen excellent work done by the uniform branch in matters that belonged to the other branch. Mr. Johnstone: It was suggested yesterday that Constable Maloney was not a suitable person to make inquiries from Mrs. Anderson at Papatoetoe concerning the time the missing motor cai was found. Witness said he thought a district constable was quite capable of making such an inquiry. Asked what his opinion of the inspectors was, witness said he considered tliem first rate officers and men. When a question was asked about the steps taken to follow up the missing motor car, it was stated that cars were missing every day. Mr. Page: But in this case a girl was missing also. Summing up his opinions, witness said he considered everything possible had been done to clean up the Walker case. Mr. Johnstone wanted to get the witness to say what he thought of'the matter now, after knowing all that he did. Mr. Currie: Is that relevant? Mr. Page agreed that it was not. Mr. Johnstone urged that the whole question was whether the police had done their duty. . The question of theories cropped up. Witness said that an experienced officer did not adopt a theory; he had to deal only with facts. Mr. Johnstone: Having ascertained all the facts, what conclusion do you come to now? Mr. Page: I'm afraid that you can't put the case in that form. Superintendent Wohlmann, in answer to further questions, said the first verbal message from the medical men did not suggest that death was due to unnatural causes.

Witness was also cross-examined as to i... e "!\ e elapsed before he actually d C atW^ C doctor ' B opinion was that of tha hcad t0 th 6 blow the side

Ver v Ml Inquiries . (who appeared\or tu S , of ,? Ir - Finlay was directed ° to Kelly) capable men were phewi in ! that country districts and that "\ avge of ■ miiries were made in r „. x^au sth'e ]Uq ril circular k BU 4 S° nS6 feUlw 75 «i» «*«»'• ™ mg ii »

To Mr. Moody (who appeared for Chief Detective Hammond) witness said the chief detective had 26 men under him. He had to supervise their work, conduct detective cases in Court and confer with the inspector. Chief Detective Hammond would have to be guided by the reports he received in any case that occurred. When the police surgeon made a postmortem examination the police were entitled to look to him for a lead.

On the day of the inquest (Saturday) there was a riot at the races and that caused a strain on the chief detective's staff. Further trouble was expected on the Monday and Tuesday. Notwithstanding that, witness was aware that inquiries were made concerning Elsie Walker's death on the Saturday, on Sunday and on Monday. Two peoplo important to the case were interviewed on the Sunday and Monday respectively. He had every reason to know that inquiries were kept up.

Mr. Moody quoted from the police file to show that on October (i very full inquiries were being made by the detective office in trying to trace Elsie Walker's movements from Fapamoa to Auckland. Witness explained in answer to a question that there were on the police brief of the Walker case the names of people who were examined by the police, but not called at the inquest. On the other hand, there were witnesses called who were not 011 the brief. It was a matter for the discretion of the person conducting the case. J Visit to Papamoa. At noon tha inquiry was adjourned until ten o'clock on Monday morning. Mr. Page stated that he intended going down to Papamoa by motor car this afternoon to see the Bayly's farm, where Elsie Walker lived, and also to become acquainted with the road between that place and Auckland, which would bo travelling by the Bayly's motor car that was found abandoned in Papatoetoe.