MURDER INQUIRY

Hokitika Guardian, 12 July 1935, Page 5

MURDER INQUIRY

PANMURE MYSTRY CONTINUATION OF EVIDENCE . (Pet Press Association, Copyright). AUCKLAND, July 1. At the inquest- on Mary Raymond, evidence wa& continued oy rreorge Frederica Hewer, described as with the exception of Miss Francis, there was no girl who had been attending hrai during the year like Mary Raymond, whom 'he had never seen in his life. His only endeavour had been to seek to help those people who seemed to be in distress- An offer for the relatives to see the girl Frances had come from witness on May 4. On seeing the girl the relatives nad been satisfied that she was not the gii'l whom they were seeking. They had expressed their gratitude to witness, and had said that they were satisfied that he had .had nothing to do with the missing girl. The next witness was Alfred Hall iSkelton, solicitor, who said that he had been acting for several of Mary Raymnd’s relatives and friends, including Dudley 'Bennett. Witness said that in the first week of June, he had received some documents, through a man named Hughes, for Dudley Bennett. One letter, with parts of it erased, was picked up at witness's office on the following morning. Wit-' ness still had a number of these documents, out some, including two from Mary Raymond, had been destroyed. Witness was instructed by Bennett to destroy all of the letters that might incriminate Bennett. One of the letters that were destroyed was smudged,, and wag signed “Mary.” Another was in the same handwriting, and he thought that it was also signed' “Mary.” The Coroner : What is the importance of these letters ? Detective Sergeant Walsh: They were written by the girl on the eve of. her disappearance, and they toid where she was going, and wliat she was go-, ing to do. - Further questioned regarding the destruction of letters, Skeltou said that he had destroyed them untier instructions. He would have been liable for. damages if lie had not done so. if The Coroner; I don’t think so. 1 think you might have sent them .back, if your client asiied you to set fire to a house, you would not do soi Witness; No. That would «be a criminal act.

Ttlie' Coi'ohtrT’ 'liave 'iS?en a criminal act to destroy the documents.Witness said he had been bound to do anything he could in the interests of. his client. He had been acting for Bennett for some days before June 4.

In reply to a question by Detective'Seraeant Walsh, witness said he was searching for the girl. Detective-Sergeant Walsh : Was that not a proper matter to report to the police? " * Witness : Certainly not 1 We thought site was in some .home, or had gone back to her people. George 'Fulton Thompson, ichaffeur and bookkeeper to G. F -Hewer, said that he was in a hotel (between May 10 and 15 with Hewer and Bennett, when a letter was produced. Witness had obliterated certain names,’ at Bennett’s request. Bennett had said that he was convinced that the names in question were not concerned with Mary Raymond. Bennett, who did not suggest obliterating anything regarding himself and said he wished to keep the letter for sentimental reasons;: Witness never saw the girl Raymond; - Edward Henry Dudley Bennett, aged 25 years, publisher, resided at Weir lington, and said he had known Mary Raymond since December, when he met her at Rotorua She resided with witness’ parents, in Wellington, from January to April. She told witness that she was in trouble and that she was coming to Auckland to have an illegal operation. Witness concurred. iHe gave her money. In letters that were written after she had arrived fn Auckland, she stated that she had arranged to undergo an operation. On May 2, witness received word that Mary Raymond was missing. 'He came to Auckland, where he was informed bv Miss Bibb, a girl friend of the deceased, that she had mentioned &• F. Hewer’s name to Miss, Raymond. Miss Bcibb said that she last saw Ajiss Raymond on May 1, when they parted, after making an appointment for & meeting later the same day. Miss Raymond did not keep that apointment. Miss Bobib said she did not sec her again. * . ■ The inquest was adjourned until Monday.