BUILDER'S DEATH.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 19917, 2 May 1930, Page 6

BUILDER'S DEATH.

ENQUIRY CONTINUED.

SON REMAINS SILENT. (pxaia AStocUTioa nuoiut.) PALMERSTON NORTH, May 1. The enquiry into the death of Walter Edwin Price, of Palmerston North, builder, was continued this morning beforo Mr Stout, Coroner. Detective Russell said that extensive enquiries had failed to reveal anyone who bore enmity to Mr Price or was likely to do him harm. Dr. Laurenson, of Matamata, who had been interviewed by the police, said that he attended Price following a motor accident in January, 1929. Subsequently Price appeared to bo Buffering from spinal neurasthenia likely to produce fits of depression. Price did suffer in ! this way and it was not improbable that he might have taken his life under such circumstances. Detective Russell produced a similar statement concerning Price's injuries from Dr. Putman, who, however, said ho observed no marked signs of depression in April, 1929. Following an examination of witness by Mr McGregor, solicitor for the Price family, concerning a missing sum of money stated to have been in the house, the Coroner said that there was no evidence that the money was ever in the house. "It is no use suggesting homicide. The only person who can tell anything is - Prico, and you will hardly get anything from him.'' Sonior-Detectivo Quirke said that all enquiries had failed to reveal the gun that caused the wound. John Price, the chief witness, son or deceased and the central figure in the proceedings, was then recalled, with an intimation that questions would subsequently be asked. Senior-Detective Ouirke handed to him for private perusal three letters in his father's handwriting. . _ T The Coroner (to John Price): You have read those letters. Would you like them read out in Court, as we will be forced to do? John Price: No, sir. The Coroner: Perhaps you Would like to think over the matter and see if you cannot tell us anything more. This matter can be cleared up in another way. Is it necessary for me to make these letters public? There is a certain amount of suspicion that you

know more than you told us. That » my own impression so far. John Price: Sir, I know no more. I did not know what was in those letters. , , , The Coroner: Did you know that there had been any quarrel between your father and your mother? John Price: No, sir. The Coroner suggested again that witnL might think the matter over Otherwise there would be no alternate To calling his mother, who he understood wi not in a fit i to give evidence, being in a state oi collapse. . Mr McGregor: She can only whisper. ■ The Coroner: We don't want her to collapse in Court. Mr McGregor: She is anxious to give evidence. The Coroner: Apparently it is no good asking this boy anything further at present. The only thing is to adjourn again. There is a reference to a gun in one of those letters. This i& evidently going to be a painful business for Mrs Price. We shall have to adjourn until after the Supreme Court session. Mr McGregor suggested that the proceedings should be adjourned sine die. Addressing John Price, the Coroner said: The position is that I will have to call your mother and also recall you afterwards. Perhaps you will think over this matter. Further light which you may throw on this matter may 'save your mother from going through this ordeal. I cannot close the inquest at this stage, as a suggestion of homicide came from your mother. It will have to be cleared up. The inquest was then adjourned sine die.

So successful have been the trips to Mount Cook % for W.E.A. students arranged yearly during the past three years that it has been decidec' to promote a trip this year. The popularity of this trip is indicated by the fact that each successive one has shown an appreciable increase in number. This year those taking the trip will be able to travel, to Timaru by the 8.35 a.m. train, instead of by a train leaving at midnight. The trip is to extend from May 30th to June 3rd.