ELSIE WALKER’S DEATH

Dominion, Volume 23, Issue 32, 1 November 1929, Page 15

ELSIE WALKER’S DEATH

REOPENING OF INQUEST SOUGHT A MAMMOTH PETITION Impressive evidence of the widespread desire that the inquest into the death of Elsie Walker should be reopened was given in the House of Representatives yesterday, when the Minister of Health (lion. A. J. Stallworth.v), as mepiber for Eden, presented a inanunoth_pctition on the subject. There were. 15.202 signatories to the petition, which was subsequently proved to turn the scales at 131 pounds. , ~ The petitioners asked that steps should be taken during the present session to amend the law so that, when fresh evidence becomes available after the closing of an inquest or other circumstances arise making further investigation desirable, such inquest might be reopened. In particular, it was asked that such legislation might be passed as would enable the inquiry into the manner of death of Elsie Walker to be reopened, and further inquiry made. . The huge petition was eyed with interest by the Minister of .lustice (Hon. T. M. "Wilford), who indicated some weeks ago that the Government did not propose to introduce such legislation this session. , . In Ihe meantime, a Bill designed;to give effect to the prayer of the petition lias been introduced by Mr. C. E. Macmillan (Reform, Tauranga), but it. has not yet progressed beyond its first reading, and it now stands only one Place removed from the bottom of the Order Taper. Its chance of a second reading, therefore, appears to be most remote, in view of the efforts now being made to hasten the session’s close.