ELSIE WALKER INQUIRY

Evening Star, Issue 20109, 25 February 1929, Page 11

ELSIE WALKER INQUIRY

SUPERINTENDENT WOHUANH’S EVIDENCE [Pea United Pbesi Association.] AUCKLAND, February 25. 'fhe inquiry into tho conduct by the police of the'Elsie Walker case was resumed this moiTiitig. , Superintendent Wohlmann, cross-ex-amined, said that Constable Collins was justified under the circumstances in assuming that death was not due to violence. The medical evidence tor about six weeks corroborated the constable’s decision when he found tnc body Ho was not aware ot any reason being given by Drs Murray and Gilmour for their vital ~ opinion They at first stated that they did not think any violence had been done, and later they paid much attention to a bruise on tho head. M/Finlav said there was no essential difference it- the evidence ot Dr Gilmour from the first report. Answering a further question, buneiintondeat Wohlmann said Dotectivcscrgeaiß Kelly gave- instructions foi the removal of the body to the morgue. Outlining the work of the chief detec live, witness said the duel detective had not got time to consider qu,.Uy and fill I v tile linen of action to 1c followed when u big ease was siKldcn .% presented. One remedy would be to relievo tin chic, detective ot the duty of conducting cases at the-court. 110 could say that tho Elsie Walker case was grappled with in the early s ages to the extent commensurate with its i rmortanco. Replying to a .question hy P the Commissioner, Superintendent Wohlmair said ‘‘l thmk the chief detective here is overworked and 1 think the in sped.oi has aho-r tho maximum burden that lr '.an carry t nc had no' arrived m New the country could afford the hir.li cost o having'a number of detectives m smaller towns. Then was no commissioned office- employed solely foi detect 1 ve work in Auckland;