Mount Cook Tragedy

Horowhenua Chronicle, 10 June 1932, Page 3

Mount Cook Tragedy

SUICIDE THEORY PRECLUDED COMMENT ON POLICE ACTION TIM ARC, June 9. The hearing of the charge against William John Thomas Whalley, formerly chef at the Hermitage, Mount Cook, of the murder of William Edwards Wogan at the Hermitage on November 5, 1931, was continued to-day before Mr. E. D. Mosley, S.M. Further evidence for the prosecution was-heard. Evidence was given by Police Inspector Bird, who was sharply questioned by the Magistrate as to the reason for not calling in an experienced detective sooner. The Magistrate remarked upon the extraordinary lengtii of time between the death and the police activities. "I come fresh into this matter, and it is extraordinary—l do not want to say a bungle—but it is extraordinary.” Witness; ‘‘Every inquiry that could be made was made by Mackintosh and myself and reported to Wellington.” Evidence was given by Detective Sergeant Young, who said that Whalley made contradictory statements as to where the deceased was when the shot was fired. Sergeant King (Hokitika) gave evidence regarding Wogan’s non-shooting habits.

i Leslie F. Tiadall, director of a Christj church firm of gunsmiths, testified re- | garding experiments with the rifle, say* j ing that the utmost distance he could i hold the rifle from the side of his head and fire it was four and a half inches. I • _ 1 At the conclusion of the hearing the Magistrate declared that the theory of suicide was entirely precluded, and the same applied to the theory of accidental shooting. He commented again on the extraordinary delay in getting experts to investigate the matter. The accused was committed for trial at the next session of the Supreme Court.