INQUEST OPENS

Hokitika Guardian, 11 July 1935, Page 6

INQUEST OPENS

DEATH OF MISS RAYMOND THE PANMURE MYSTERY. (Per Press Association, Copyright). AUGKAND, July 11.; The inquest on Mary Elizabeth Raymond, aged 21, whose partially decomposed body "as found in the Tamaki river, was opened to-day. The body was found lying across a stringer under the Paninure bridge Attached to one leg was a rope, ami attached to the other were two sacks and a piece of canvas. The body was naked except for a piece of cotton singlet. Deceased’s brother, Parata Raymond, said his sister left home at Te Puke last January. On June 7 lie carefully examined the body in the morgue, and identified - as his sister. The next witness, a young woman, said she saw Alary Raymond in Queen Street about 4 p.m. on May'l, standing in the doorway uf a shop. She was joined by a man. Witness pointed to a man sitting in the court, and said that lie was the man. She saw the same man on June 10 in company with another man, who also was sitting in court.

In reply to Detective-Sergeant Walsh, witness said she had no doubt the man she saw with Alary Raymond was the man in court, named Hewer. George Frederick Hewer, whose business he described as electrotherapy said lie was a qualified doctor, but not registered in New Zealand. He was known as “Dr Hewer,” and his place of business was in the City Chambers. The man whom the previous witness had pointed out was his assistant, David Fulton Thompson. Witness first knew Mary Raymond was missing on May 1. He was told that nignt by a Mrs V ilson. Detective-Sergt. Walsh: That was the day Alary Raymond disappeared? —A r es. Why did Mrs Wilson go to you?— I don’t know. After several more questions, Det.Sergt. Walsh said to witness: How long had that half caste girl been receiving treatment from you boan'J May 1? Witness: I claim privilege. You swear that will incriminate you ? —'Yes. Witness said he was later visited by Raymond’s brother-in-law, named Burton, and a man named Hughes, but lie could not tell them anything. On Alay 3 a man named Dudley Bennett called on, him saying he lirtd received a letter from Aliss Raymond, in which she mentioned she had made an appointment with him (Hewer) on Alay 2.

Det.-Sergt, Walsh: Are you definite it was Alay 2? Witness: Quite definite. Did Bennett tell you what Aliss Raymand wanted to see you for? Witness: Yes. He said it was for an illegal operation. Witness said he then made reference to girls going under assumed names, and mentioned a Aliss Francis, a patient of his, whose • description was near to the description of Aliss Raymond.

Jn the course of long questioning, the witness, Hewer, was asked if he with Thompson and Bennett, visited a hotel one morning. He said lie had, and that he there saw a letter in which there was reference to Mary Raymond’ appoint ment with him. Det.-Sergt. Walsh: Wlint amount ol money was mentioned in connection with Alary Raymond? . Witness: There was no mention of money. Asked if -the letter was interfered with, witness said he left the room for a minute, and when he return, parts of the letter had been deleted. The coroner (Air McKean, S.AI.) : Is this the letter that is missing? Det.Sergt. Walsh: Yes.

During the questioning, reference was made to a girl whom ITewer admitted was a patient of his. Hewer’s counsel objected, saying: If Detective Walsh is going to. start on a fishing expedition about Hewer's profession, I am going to advise my client to claim privilege. After some discussion witness said be had told Mrs Wilson lie was treating a half-caste Maori girl, but that she had gone home before Alay 1.