"I DECLINE TO ANSWER"

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 121, 27 November 1928, Page 6

"I DECLINE TO ANSWER"

DEADLOCK AT INQUEST WITNESSES REFUSE TO GIVE EVIDENCE (By Telegraph,—Press Association.) AUCKLAND, 20th JTov. The inquest concerning the de<s*!i of Freda Helen Clark, aged 29, late ot '* Aroha, who died at the house of Mi. Georgina Colnett, of Grey Lynn, ou the morning of- Ist November, was resumed before the Coroner, Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M. In the Magistrate's Court last week, when the inquest was re-opened, there was much legal argument between tho Coroner and Mr. S. Singer, counsel for Mr. and Mrs. Colnett, and others. When Chief-Detective Hammond ques-. tioned Mrs. Doris Dannefeard (sister of deceased) about one of two letters which, had been recovered by the police from Miss Clark's room at Te Aroha, Mr. Singer suggested, that. Mrs, Dannefeard should be allowed to decline to answer certain question. The Magistrate, abruptly adjourned the proceedings and directed that the Crown Solicitors should take charge on behalf of the police. I This afternoon Air. V. R. Meredith j appeared for the police. Mrs, Doris Dannefeard again went in the witness box. Mr. Meredith asked witness who "Ruth" was. She replied that Ruth was Mrs. Simms, of Mount Albert. When shown the letter she declined to answer a question as to the signature, and also the' writing, on the grounds that it might incriminate her. "Do you know Mrs. Bauer?"- she was asked. Witness again declined to answer. When the typewritten deposition had been read over to Mrs, Dannefeard, Mr. Singer instructed her not to sign her name. The Magistrate: "What objection is there to that?" Counsel: "She. is not going to assist the police." The , Magistrate: "I am not so sure about whether she can. refuse to sign," Counsel: "Well, if there is any authority which says she must sign, she will sign." George Alfred Colnett, a tutor of French, declined to say whether he was ■at home on the day Freda Clark died. Ho also declined to say-if Freda Clark was in, the house, who the occupants of the house were, whether he knew Mrs. Bauer, or if he had. communicated with tho police. The Magistrate: "What is your wife I'■ W' She's a nurse. "■ "Is she a registered nurse?"— "No," "Does she take in patients?*'—"l. decline to answer." "How long have you been in the ho.use ?''—'' Seventeen years.'' "How do you earn your living.?'•*----"I teach French, and have over 20 pupils.' * Mrs. Doris Bauer said she owned a motor-car. She declined o answer further questions about M_s. Dannefeard j and. the deceased., Miss Clark, and also I whether she was. a,t, the Newtown Police | Station, as her answers might incrimin- ; ate her, Many other questions were asked by Mr, Meredith, with the same result. Percy Seymour George Spwerby, a farmer, living near Mo.rrinsviUc, declined to say" whether he was married :or single. He was told by Mr. Singer that he could answer, but counsel advised him not to answer further questions. Mr. Meredith: "Did you know Miss Freda Clark?"—"Yes." Mr. Singer: "You had better be careful now." The Magistrate, to Mr, Meredith: i "This is the most dreadful thing I've ever heard, I don't intend to have the j inquest bluffed out like this." Mr. Meredith:. "Do you know that. Freda Clark is dead?/?-4-"I decline to answer.*? The Magistrate: "That can't incriminate you. If you don't, answer- a. que?-, tion like that, which is a thing we all. know, I'll commit you.?' Mr. Singer then objected to Mr. Hunt speaking to Sowerby in such a, manner. A Coroner's Court cannot bo. used to obtain evidence for the police, he said, Mrs. Colnett said she was a trained nurse, but was not registered. . She de-l elined to say whether she. knew Freda Clark, or whether; there was a death at her house on Ist November. The Magistrate: Mr. Singer in your house on Ist November?"-^"I de-. cline to answer.'? "Was Mr, Hyman there on that date?" —"I decline to answer." '■ 'Are you prepared, to give the Court any assistance over the death of Miss Clark?"—"l also Recline to answer that." Mr. Hunt: "You will tell me nothing whatever about jtf'-W'No." Mr..Hunt: "Step down." After further evidence the inquest was. adjourned, the Coroner saying: "I don't propose to close it; it is most unsatisfactory. "