ELSIE WALKER’S FATE

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 134, 2 March 1929, Page 11

ELSIE WALKER’S FATE

OPINION OF PATHOLOGIST “DEATH BY CONCUSSION” Dominion Special Service. Auckland, March 1. ■ The assumption that Elsie Walker died by foul play was revived at the police inquiry this morning. Theory after theory has been advanced as to the probable cause of death, but the evidence of Dr. Walter Gilmour, pathologist at the Auckland Hospital, eliminated the assumption of death from natural causes or exhaustion. Dr. Gilmour stated that the only evidence in the possession of Dr. Murray, police surgeon, and himself, pointed to concussion as the cause of death. “We are absolutely satisfied that all the organs were healthy and free from disease, and that the theory of exhaustion was .unentertainable, as it was impossible for a girl so healthy and wellbuilt, and who had had a meal shortly before death, to have died of exhaustion,” said Dr. Gilmour. Mr. Johnstone: Even if she were out all night in the thinnest of garments and up the whole of the previous night?—“Yes.” What about fear? —“Fear, perhaps, is more difficult to exclude, but on the other hand it is extremely unlikely that the girl s:ch as I have described, and brought up in the country, should die of hidden fear. Then .again, this would leave entirely unexplained the marked congestion of the brain and the bruise on the scalp.” Removal of Body. Discussing the removal of the body, Dr. Gilmour saihe would not go so far as to say it should not have been removed. The basis for the t sumption that Elsie Walker died of concussion was the congestion of the brain and the blow on the head. Supposing the girl received a blow on the head coming from Papamoa in the car, but did not receive concussion, it was possible for lie” to walk around for some hours. Con: .jstion was not produced unless there was a de-— e of concussion. Witness was of the belief that Elsie Walker must have lost consciousness after receiving the blow that produced congestion. Mr. Leary reminded witness that he had said at the inquest that it would have been possible for the girl to have walked about for hours after receiving the blow. Dr. Gilmour: Did I say that? Mr. Leary: Possibly we are at cross purposes and y- t are tired of being in the witness box for so long. Dr. Gilmour: Yes, I am very tired. Mr. Page decided to adjourn the inquiry until the aft””noon. House-to-House Call. i - Constable Collins, of St. Heliers, who was stationed at Panmure in October, gave evidence regarding the finding of the body at Tamaki and its removal to the morgue. He said that when he saw the body he thought death was due to natural causes or suicide. People had begun to collect when the discovery was known. There had been a bazaar in the vicinity that night. When describing the large amount of inquiry work he had put into the case, he said he had made a house-to-house call in some parts of his district.

Mr. Leary: Do you think you could possibly have done more than you did to elucidate this mystery? Witness: I am sure I could not; I think Detective-Sergeant Kelly will bear me out in that statement. I inquired everywhere I thought I could get information. Speaking of the finding of the body, Constable Collins, questioned by Mr. Currie, said he did not suspect foul play. Mr. Currie: What was there to dispel the natural suspicion you as a policeman would have?

Witness: The position the body was in. The girl had no hat and was wearing an apron. The general appearance led him to believe that death was due either to suicide or natural causes. The position of the bushes also helped him to form that opinion.

Mr. Leary: What was the position of the bushes? Witness replied that the girl looked as if she had crawled in under the bushes. If it were a case of concealment .it certainly was a “bungled job.” The Commissioner: Approximately how many people did you interview in the course of your inquiries? I do not want you to be accurate to a dozen or so: Witness: I should say I interviewed between 300 and 400 rieople during my inquiry. The Commission was adjourned.