RAYMOND INQUEST

Hokitika Guardian, 15 July 1935, Page 6

RAYMOND INQUEST

FURTHER EVIDENCE. (Per Press Association, Copyright). 'AUCKLAND, July 15. The inquest was resumed to-day into the cjoath of Mary Elizabeth Raymond, the young halfcaste Maori whose body was found in Tamaki River on June 2. Margaret Jano Wilson said ißajmond arrived at her house on April 2(3. At first she said she had come for a holiday, and then that* she was in a certain condition, and had been for 3 1 months. “She asked m<> it I would do her or if I would get her done”, said the witness. She asked mo what it would cost and I told her £l2 10s. She said she would have to wait for word from Dudley Bennett. 1 told her nobody would do her, because she wai/a’- swk girl. On the evening \ot A pripKSQtfßaymond came in with her friend / Peggy Robb, and said she was going fov : stay at a girl friend s place for a couple of days. She went, ano witness never saw her again. A day or two later, a Mrs Hughes called and said she feared something serious had happened to Mary. Witness went to Hughes’ house and learned from what Peggy Robb said, that Raymond had been’ making arrangements to go to “Dr. Hewer”. At witness’ suggestion they went to Hewer, and asked him if he had a pretty half-caste girl. He said mo, but he had a very ugly Maori (girl, and said something about puj|ing a sack over her head. Witness described her part in" the endeavours ’made to find Raymond. She ' subsequently identified the body in the morgue. Raymond had never said anything to her about suicide.

Alice Maud Hughes said she had known Miss Raymond for eight years. Miss Raymond on the night- of April 30, came to her ancl said she was in trouble and wanted to get “done.” She said she had made an appointment with a doctor in Queen Street for the next day. She also said Dudley Bennett was responsible for her condition, and he was agreeable to marrying her, * hut that she did not like to have to get married. She did not wish her people or his to know. Miss Raymond arranged to stay with witness for a fortnight. That- night she told witness she was going to spesd £6 the next day on her. operation. Witness was anxious whenithe: girl did not : return on May ,1. On May.. 2 witness 'telegraphed to Bennett,“Maty is missing. Gome at dice. Serious.”

On Bennett’s ■ arrival he read to witness a letter frbm Miss Raymond who said she had an-appointment with, doctor for the Wednesay, and that Peggy Robb was going with her, On June 4, after reading that a body had been found, she went to the police station with a written statement. Deteetive-Sergt. Walsh : Whore was that written? ‘ •- Witness: At Mr Hall Skelton’s office. * Was there any reference to Hewer?— No. In reply to the coroner, witness said Mr Hall Skelton wrote the statement and she copied it. Mr Skelton wrote it because he wanted Hewer’s name kept out. Tn reply to Hewer’s counsel, witness said Miss Raymond was distressed about the operation, and seemed to be in terror of the prospect. Witness thought she might do away with herhelf. Evidence was given by a'shopkeeper that Miss Raymond called on April 30 and wap to return a week later, but did not. Frederick James Hughes, a brother-in-law of Miss Raymond, said she stayed at his house on April 30. She left in the morning and returned in a taxi in the afternoon, and left again, saying she would be back at five o’clock. She never returned. Witness twice visited Hewer in an endeavour to find the girl.

Evidence of the search was gven by Albert Edwn Burton, another brother-in-law. He said he heard through the girl Peggy Robb, that Miss Raymond was going to the place of a man named Hewer. The court adjourned for lunch.