AUCKLAND MYSTERY

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 11 January 1929, Page 5

AUCKLAND MYSTERY

ELSIE WALKER’S DEATH.

CONTINUATION OF INQUIRY. THE UNCLE’S EVIDENCE. (By Telegraph—Pres3 Association.)'* V AUCKLAND, Jan. 10, The inquest into- the cause of the death of Elsie Walker, aged 17, of Papamoa, Bay of Plenty, whose body was found in the scrub at Taniaki on October 5, four days after her disappearance, was continued this afternoon. At the luncheon adjournment Frank Bayly, of Papamoa, wAs giving: evidence that on October 1 he;, his wife, and live children, besides his niece, Elsie Walker, were at home. 'He kept two dogs at the back of the house. All hqd dinner that night; but lie did not remember seeing the girl again. His son Trevor went to a social the same evening. Bayly said that of his family his son Bill could drive a car, Mrs. Bayly could, Geoffrey could, and Trevor could. As far as he knew tlio deceased never drove it. The key missing with the car was . Mrs. Bayly’s. Witness said that when his son Bill came hack in September lie was married, but witness and Mrs. Bayly were not aware of the marriage. Witness then described a visit he made to Auckland, during which he went to see his son Bill ah Henderson, where he was working. “I had a conversation with the boy,” said witness. “I asked him if he kiiew of the trouble by reading the newspapers, but he said lie had not heard anything about it. He had only got out there on the Wednesday 'before.” Mr. Meredith: Did you ask him wliat lie had been doing?—No, I asked him about the key, and he said he had [left it at home. Counsel: Did you say anything about the Monday?—Not that I can remember. Counsel: Or the Monday night?—No. Counsel: Well, Mr. Bayly, Monday night was a night fraught with some tragedy, and surely you discussed that night with him? —I remember asking Bill where he was on the Monday night. Counsel: I put it to you that you asked him at Henderson where, he was on the Monday ?—lt is a long' time ago; I cannot remember. I would not swear I had mentioned it. ■ v ’,k Counsel:. But you did talk of it with him in the boarding-house when', you saw him later?—Yes, I asked him then where he was on Monday. Witness said Bill told him he had been with his wife on the day of the tragedy.According to Godfrey Bayly, . he passed through the washhouse at 7.30 on the night the car disappeared, on his way to his room. Although he did not remember seeing the girl he thought she was in the kitchen. He switched the light on in the- portion of the sleeping porch where she slept, but she was not there. Next morning at 6.30 witness saw from his bedroom that the car was gone. Writ ness told his father. The Coroner: Did he say “Perhaps Bill has taken it.” Witness: No. Witness said that he had never seenElsie drive the car, nor; had she any opportunity to learn to drive as far sis he knew. She had never asked him. to let her have a; try at driving. Mr. Meredith: In fact you would not suggest that she could drive?—No, she could not as far as I know. • The hearing was adjourned till tomorrow. .