“UNSATISFACTORY!”

Gisborne Times, Volume LXVIII, Issue 10754, 27 November 1928, Page 5

“UNSATISFACTORY!”

“DUMB” WITNESSES AT INQUEST.

M Y STERY DEATH OF WOMAN

MAGISTRATE’S STRICTURES

“MOST DREADFUL THING I’VE •. =: -EWER HEARD OF”’

AUCKLAND; xnov. 26. The inquest concerning the death of Freda Helen Clark, aged 29, latei of Te Aroha, who died at the house of Mrs Georgina Colnett, Grey Lynn, on November 1, was resumed before the Coroner, Mr F: It. Hunt, S.M., at the Police Court. Last week, when the inquest" was re-opened, there wa| muchVlegal argument between the Coroner and Mr Singer, counsel for Mr and Mrs Colnett and others, when Chief Detective Hammond (tficstioried Mrs Doris Dannefeard (a sister of deceased) about one of two letters which had been recovered by the police from Miss Ulark’s room at Te Aroha. Mr Singer suggested that Mrs Dannefeard should be allowed to decline to answer certain questions, and the Magistrate abruptly adjourned proceedings and directed that the Crown Solicitor should take charge on behalf of the police. This afternoon Mr V. R. Meredith appeai’ed for the police, and Mrs Doris Dannefeard again .went into the witness box. Mr Meredith asked witness who “Ruth” was. She replied that Ruth was Mrs Simms', of Mount Albert. When shown a letter, she' declined to answer a question as to the signa-, ture, and also the writing on the grounds that it might incriminate her.

' “Do you know Mrs Bauer r”’ she was asked. ■■ Witness again declined to answer. When a 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 thatf” Counsel: “She is not going to assist the police.” The Magistrate: “J am not so suro about whether she can refuse to sign.” • ‘ - Counsel: “Well, if there is any authority, which says she must sign, she wit! sign.” George Alfred . Colnett, tutor of French, declined to say whether he was at home oiv the day Freda Clark died. He also declined to say if Freda Clark was in tlie house, who the occupants of the house were, whether lie knew Mrs Bauer, or if he had communicated with the police.

The Magistrate: “What is your wifei"’ —Witness: “She’s a nurse.” “is she a registered nurse?”— “JNo.” “Does Hie take in patients?”—“l decline to answer.” “How long have you been m the house?” —“.Seventeen years?’. “How do you earn your living?” l — teach French and have over 20 fmpi's.” . • . , Mrs Doris Bauer said she owned a motor car. She declined to answer turther questions about Mrs Danneieard and deceased, Miss Clark, and also whether she was at Newton i oiice. Station, as her answers might incriminate her. Many other questions were asked by Mr Meredith with the same result. Hercy Seymour George bowerby living near Morrinsville, declined to say .whether ho was married or single. Ho was told by Mr Singer that he could answer, but counsel “-advised him not to answei further questions. Mr Meredith: “Did you know Miss i'reda Clark ?”—“Fes.” Mr Singer: “You had better be careful now.” , The Magistrate (to Mr Meredith;: “This is the most; dreadful thing i’ve ever heard of. I don’t intend to have the inquest bluffed out like this.” - ... Mr Meredith : “Do you . know that Freda Clark is dead?”—“l decline to answer.” „ The Magistrate: “That cant n% criminate you. if you don’t answer a question ’like that, which is a thing we all know, I’ll commit you/ Mr Siiiger then objected to Mr Hunt speaking to Sowerby in such a ina-imeid-'The .©oarqa>eids>Court cannot be : used to obtain evidence for the police,” he" said. : . Mrs Colnett said she was a trained nurse, hut was not registered. She declined to say whether she knew Freda Clark, or whether there was a death at her house on November A.

Was Mr Singer in your house on November 1?”—“I decline to ans- “ Was Mr Hyman there on that date V '—“l decline to answer. “Are you prepared to give the Court anv assistance over the death of Miss Clark?” —“I also decline to answer that.” Mr Hunt: “You will teil mo nothing whatever about it r” 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.”