SHARP CRITICISM GIVEN

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22317, 3 February 1938, Page 12

SHARP CRITICISM GIVEN

* WITNESSES AT INQUEST AT HOKITIKA DEATH OF RETURNED SOLDIER tPRCSS ASSOCIATES TELEGRAM.). , GREYMOUTH, February 2. A verdict that death was due to natural causes, precipitated to some extent by a fight he had earlier in the day with Walter Thorpe, was returned by the Coroner, Mr A. E. Benjamin, at Hokitika this evening, when he concluded the inquest into the death of Richard Kennedy, aged 65, a returned soldier, who died at Karangarua, South Westland, on November G. Some time after Kennedy’s death tumours circulated in the district that he had been involved in a fight before his death. Subsequently the Minister for Health issued a warrant for the exhumation of the body, and this was dene at Karangarua on January 8. A post-mortem conducted.by Drs. W. A. Bird and W. McKay (Greymouth) revealed no injury to which death could be attributed. The doctors came to the conclusion that death was due to natural causes and heart disease. At the hearing to-day evidence was given by Frederick Gill and Thorpe, both of whom said that, at Gill’s suggestion, Thorpe kept out of the way and gave no information of the fight to the constable and doctor investigating Kennedy’s death. Later Thorpe, at Gill's request, sighed a statement that Gill was not present at the fight. Inspector H. Scott, to Gill: What was your object in obtaining a statement. Gill: So that I would not be connected with the fight. , Inspector Scott; You were taking a good deal of interest up till then. Gill: I was not interested in shielding anyone. The Coroner: You recognise that when you told the constable and the doctor what you did, you lied. Gill; At the time it did not appear so. Sharply criticising Gill and Thorpe, the Coroner expressed distinct disappointment at their action in endeavouring, by collusion, to hush up the true facts of the case, which showed fear of liability cn their part Gill deliberately lied to the police and the doctor in an endeavour to prevent news of the fight leaking out. Thorpe’s action in agreeing to this course was equally to be condemned. As a result of their action the course of justice might have been interfered with while heavy costs had been entailed in subsequent investigations. “The fact that the medical evidence clears Thorpe from being the cause of Kennedy’s death in no way frees either from condemnation.” said Mr Benjamin, who added that he would recommend that only travelling allowances be paid to Thorpe and Gill.