DEATH AT UPPER HUTT

Press, Volume XCIV, Issue 28090, 4 October 1956, Page 7

DEATH AT UPPER HUTT

COUNSEL’S REQUEST TO CORONER

SUPPRESSION ORDER SOUGHT

(New Zealana Press Association) WELLINGTON, October 3.

An application for an order suppressing publication of the proceedings at an inquest into the death of Betty Elizabeth McKay made to the Coroner (Mr P. Keesing) at Upper Hutt today.

Mr W. V. Gazley, who appeared for the husband and for Mr and Mrs Janiszewski, said that publication would not assist in determining the cause of death, but would cause considerable distress to Mrs McKay’s , family. “She committed a crime which she has well expiated by her death,” Mr Gazley said. “There is no need for her memory to be smeared.” The proceedings, he said, could throw suspicion on the three persons he represented, all of whom maintained their complete innocence. Mr Gazley referred to section 21 of the Coroners Act, which treats of selfinflicted death, but the Coroner said he did not think that section was intended to deal with this type of death. The Coroner added that he had considered the matter very carefully, and thought it proper to make certain limited prohibitions. He ordered that no particulars of the residential address

or employment of Mrs McKay or her husband were to be fcublishea. He said that a general prohibition was beyond the intention of the act. The inquest must be regarded as a public hearing. However, to give some protection to relatives, he would reserve the question of the publication of evidence till the end of the proceed-

ings. Mr Gazley said that the limited prohibition was likely to be of little, if any, value because of association with other names.

The inquest occupied the full day, and is to be resumed tomorrow morning. i