PRIVILEGE UPHELD.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 264, 7 November 1932, Page 5

PRIVILEGE UPHELD.

RUATANGATA INQUEST. MURDER-VERDICT RETURNED. MAORI YOUTH NOT CALLED. (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent) WHANGAREI, this day. . The adjourned inquest into the death of George Edward Crewe, who wae found dead in his whare at Ruatangata on May 29, wae concluded before Mr, G. N. Morris, S.M., this morning. Detective Sergeant Robertson said the only other evidence the police could offer was that of Heta Fred Gardner, if his Worship considered it wae necessary to hear it, in order to clear up the affair.

Mr. R. K. Trimmer, who appeared for Gardner, raised the question of privilege. Gardner, he said, had been charged with a crime arising out of the facts. The case had been heard, and Gardner had been acquitted, and nothing more could" be adduced that would help the Court.

"I am not going to go through the formality of putting the boy into the box eo that the police can question him," said Mr. Morris. "He has privilege when it comes to the essential facto, and I do not propose to hear him."

Mr. Morris then returned his verdict that George Edward Crcwe, who died on May 27, was wilfully murdered, having been struck a blow on the head with an axe.