DEATH OF BUILDER

Manawatu Standard, Volume L, Issue 110, 5 April 1930, Page 2

DEATH OF BUILDER

INQUEST ON LATE W. E. PRICE. SON’S EVIDENCE. Evidence dealing with the circumstances of the death of the Palmerston North builder, Walter Edwin Price, who was found shot in his home on March 4 last, was continued before the Coroner, Mr J. L. Stout, S.M., yesterday afternoon, when there was lengthy cross-examination. Deceased’s son, John Price, was the chief witness, and he detailed the facts associated with the discovery of his father’s body. When the proceedings were adjourned at 5 p.m., nine witnesses of the twenytwo called had been heard.

John Walter Barnard Price, the sixteen-year-old son of deceased, was the first ..witness in the afternoon. He stated that he lived at the residence of his father and attended the Palmerston North Boys’ High School. He had passed the matriculation examination and was in the sixth form. On March 3 last he arrived home at 4.30 p.m. His father was working and came in at 7 p.m. in very good spirits. Witness and his father were the sole occupants of the house, his mother and brother being away. Dinner was partaken of at 7.15 p.m. and finished at about 8 p.m. Subsequently, witness did his homework, while his father read in the dining-room. Witness did not remember any conversation, with the exception of one question before he retired. His father asked him if the time by the clock was correct. Witness left the room at 9.5 p.m,, his father being there. Ho read a book for about ten minutes in bed, when his father came along and switched on the electric boater outside the kitchen door for the water. Witness asked his father to turn off the light and witness said he might have thanked him. The Coroner: Did you? We don’t want what you might have said. We want exactly what you did say. Witness said he could not recollect, adding that his father then, went to the bathroom. Subsequently, he heard the light switched on in his father’s room. He heard nothing more. Witness went to sleep immediately. He awoke at 8 a.m. next day. He heard no noise during the night. His room was practically opposite his father’s, and there was a distance of about ten feet from the foot of his bed to the head of his father’s, whose door was open. When he awoke witness dressed and went to the kitchen to see the time. _ He did not pass his father’s door in doing so. Witness went down the passage next to the bathroom, passing his roQm on way. He glanced in and saw his father’s body, the legs being about parallel to the door. Witness then went to the bathroom and later returned and touched his father to wake him up. He noticed that he was stiff and cold and guessed he was dead. His father had oeen in the habit of sleeping on the ffoor, either with or without a mattress. W'itness thought lie had seen him without a mattress. On previous occasions he had used pillows. After touching his father witness went to the telephone, and rang up three or four doctors. He could not remember all of them. He received replies and in each case a woman answered the telephone. Three said they were engaged and the fourth was on a holi-

day. He was about three minutes ringing up the doctors. He could not get any doctors .to come, so he went to Mr Nagel, a neighbour. He saw Miss Nagel and asked for her father. He said: “My father is dead,’’ and then went into the back yard to Mr Nagel. Continuing, witness said ho told Mr Nagel his father was dead. There was notning further said and Mr Nagel came over the road to the house, calling Mr . Brogdeii on the way. Thd latter joined them and rang up for Dr. King. They awaited liis arrival before they entered . again. Witness showed him the room, but did not go inside. The other two went in with the doctor, who came out later, and said that death was most probably due to haemorrhage and an ulcerated stomach. Ho asked witness if ' he had rung the police. Witness did not go into the room again. Constable Compton arrived later and witness said ho made no statement to him. Witness remained about the place for an hour or an hour and a-hatf. He was not certain what time he went to Mr Nagel’s. place. He was a bit confused about the times. Miss Nagel was in the house at about 11 a.m. helping witness to clean up. He went to her home for dinner at about 1 p.m., and remained there. He went with Mr Nagel to the railway station at about 5 p.m. They , returned at 5.15 p.m. and he did not know where he left his bicycle. He remembered seeing Dr. King before tea. He was accompanied by a constable. Dr. King asked him if there was a gun in the house and witness replied that there was a pea-rifle in the garage. They took it and asked how long it had been there. Witness did not remember Dr. King saying something to him about his father, but about live minutes later in the house witness was told his father jvas shot. He was not certain who said it. They remained in the house, also witness. Witness remembered having a conversation with the constable in the morning and saying he would have to leave High School. He thought he mentioned that his father was insured and his mother would be all right, lie could not say exactly what words were used. He did not remember giving the constable any reason why he should leave the High School. He recollected speaking to a little boy, Kay iVilson, at 3.30 p.m. or 4 p.m. that afternoon, and saying that his father was dead. The boy laughed and went inside and told his mother. Mrs AVilson saw witness immediately afterwards. Later, he was feeding the fowls. . He could_not say whether it was before the doctor came; he usually fed the fowls between 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. He could not remember whether it was before Dr. King and the polico came or while they were there that he fed the fowls, While doing so, he saw Kay AVilson again and said: “You won’t see my father again.” He had mentioned to the boy the first timo that his father' was dead. Senior-Detective Quirke: Did you mention anything to the little boy about your father being shot ?—No, sir. Mr Quirke: Are you sure? I mean in the afternoon before you saw Dr. King?—No, sir. Mr Quirke: Did you ever tell him your father was shot?—-I can’t remember. , , , , , Witness added that he remembered Mr Nagel asking him if he had moved anything from the room where his father’s body "was found. _ He did not remember any conversation with Mr Nagel about dinner time wherein was mentioned the word “hang.” Mr Nagel had 6aid: “John, I would not like to be in vour shoes.” Witness replied: “I cannot be hanged for that,” meaning that he could not be blamed for finding his father dead. Continuing hie eyidence,. witness stated that it was not the custom in the house to wake one another up, but his father was exceptionally ’late in rising on the day of the tragedy. Wilsons were the nearest neighbours. Mr Innes: Yau have always lived with your parents?—Yes, except for one year. Mr Innes Were you on affectionate

terms with your father and mother? — Yes. Mr Innes: Was your father on affectionate terms with your mlothcr? — Yes. Mr Innes: You had no disputes whatever with your father yourself ? No. Mr Innes: How long had your mother been away before your father’s death?—Four days. Mr Innes: What time did vou and your father usually have breakfast? — About 7 a.m. or 7.30 a.m. My father usually rose at about 6.30 a.m. My usual time was 7 a.m. Mr Innes: Your father was invariably up before you, then? —Yes.. Mr Innes: Was your father in the habit of discussing his financial matters or business concerns with you.— No. Mr Innes: When did you first know your father’s life was insured? —A few months ago. Mr Innes: How did you disoover that?—When the agent came round. Mr Innes: How aid you know your father’s life was insured ?—I heard him tell my mother he was insured now. Mr Innes: Did you know that the life policy became void if the insured person committed suicide within twelve months? Witness: No, not within twelve months. I thought it was not payable at all in the event, of suicide. Mr Innes: Where did you obtain that information ? It is unusual for a boy of sixteen. It could not just come into your head. Did you see your father’s policy?—No. Mr Innes: Did you know before your father’s death that the policy had been taken out?—Yes. Mr Innes: Did you know that your father had made a will? Witness: Yes. He said if he died he would leave it to us boys. / Mr Innes: How long'ago was that? —About a year. Mr Innes: Was your mother present at the time?—l think that she was. Mr Innes: Have you mentioned to anyone the matter of part of the insurance money for you ? —No, sir. EVIDENCE ABOUT GUN. Mr Innes: Have you ever fired a gun? Witness: I have fired a pea-rifle and have fired a .303 rifle with cadets. Mr Innes: You understand the loading or unloading of a gun? Witness: I do of a .303 or .22. The Coroner: Have you ever handled a shotgun ? Witness: I have once. My father sold it in 1923 on the Hauraki Plains. I'never shot with it. Mr Innes: You have a bicycle, I think. Were you out on your bicycle the night your father died? —No, sir (after hesitation). Mr Inues: Why do you hesitate?—l was just recalling the night. Mr Innes: Do you drive a car? Was it out that night?—No. Mr Innes: Do you know of any reason why you father should destroy himself? Had he any troubles?—No, sir.

The Coroner: Why did vour father mention to your mother that he was insured?—ln case an accident happened. The Coroner: Did vour father give you any indication what other property he had? —Only some foundry shares. Mr Innes: After you went' to bed on the night your father died, you say you heard no sound at night although both your door and your father’s door were open?—No, sir. Mr Innes: Were all the doors and windows secured ?—No, it was not our custom. The Coroner: Did you see any indication in the house on the Wednesday morning of a stranger having been present? Nothing was disarranged?— No, sir. to Mr Innes why he should not have heard any noise, witness said that he had had no sleep on tlfe two previous nights owing to an injured wrist and, consequently, he slept well on the Wednesday night. Mr Innes: Had you ever known your father to stay in bed so long before ?—Not on any week day. Mr Innes: Had you ever seen a corpse before ?—Yes, my grandmother’s. Mr Innes: When you touched your father’s foot you concluded he was dead? —Yes, because it was stiff and cold. 1 Mr Innes: Did you call your father ? —I cannot remember. Mr Innes: Did you see his face?— No, the blinds were down. The Coroner: Did you look any further ?—No. The Coroner: Did you do anything more than touch your father’s foot to see if he were dead?—l moved his foot and found it stiff. The Coroner: That is something new which you have told us. SON SUPPORTS MURDER THEORY. Mr Innes: Have you formed any opinion yourself of how your father was shot? Witness: I believe that he did not kill himself. Mr Innes: Do you know who did? Witness: No. Mr Innes: What makes you think that your father did not commit suicide ? Witness: Because he was in such good spirits. Mr Innes: He was in veiry good spirits then, although only a few words passed between you? s Witness: Yes, my father was reading at the table. Mr Innes: You were not out of the house all that night and you know that a shot was fired a few feet away from you. Can you explain why you did not hear it?—Well, sir, I sleep heavily on occasions. Mr Innes: You slept heavily on that particular night?—l had been aocustomed to sleeping with the blankets over my head. Mr Cooper: You say that you used to get breakfast at 7 a.m. or 7.30 a.m.? —Yes. Mr Cooper: On this Wednesday morning when you went to the kitchen did it give you a shock to find it so late ?—1 was surprised to find it 8 a.m. Mr Cooper: Did you know, then, that your father was not up?—No. Mr Cooper: What caused you to change your mind and return from the bathroom to awaken your father ? It was getting late. . Mr Cooper: Did you step inside the bedroom?—About one step. . Mr Cooper: When you stepped into the room you could see the whole of your father’s body? —Yes. Mr Cooper: Did you not say anything to him?—l cannot say. The Coroner: How long had your father been used to sleeping on the floor?—I cannot say. We were used to camping out. Mr Cooper: Have you ever seen your father sleeping, on the few occasions he was on the floor, with his head under the bed?—No, sir. Answering further questions, witness stated the boy Kay Wilson was aged 5 or 6. Witness was certain he had two conversations with him. Mr Cooper: Then cannot you be equally certain that you did not tell him your father was shot before Dr. King arrived at night?—l cannot be certain. Mr Cooper: Are you certain whether you told him at all whether your father was shot?—l cannot be certain. I don’t know. . Mr Cooper: Will you deny tlje boy’s statement if he said that your father had been shot?—Yes, I wpuld. Mr McGregor: You say this second conversation with the Wilson boy took

place when you were feeding the fowls? —Yes. Mr McGregor: You went to the station at about 5 p.m. with Mr Nagel. Can you remember whether you fed the fowls before that? —I can’t remember. It was probably later, i _ Witness added that after leaving the station he walked with Mr Nagel along Waldegrave Street to Featherston Street. Mr Nagel stopped to speak to a friend and witness went round to Pascal Street. Ho- went back to meet Mr Nagel, who had gone, and so he went home. Mr McGregor: Dr. King has told ue that he arrived at 5.5 o’clock that night. It would be shortly after you arrived home? —Yes, about ten minutes. Senior-Detective Quirke: Was it usual for your father to have the blinds down?—lt all depends. I don’t know. Mr Quirke: Do you know whether these windows were open or shut on the Wednesday morning?—l could not say. NEIGHBOUR’S EVIDENCE. Edward Wilson, of 71 Featherston Street, motor company manager, said that at 12.35 a.m. on the day of Mr Price’s death he arrived home with his wife and a friend, Mr It. Meikle. While, talking to his wife ho heard the sharp report of a gun at 12.50 a.m. The sound seemed to oome from Price s section. Just after the report he heard a squeal. It might have been that of a cat. He mentioned it to Mr Meiklo, who went out on to the verandah, but returned saying that he could not hear anything, so they retired for the night. On the way home they had come via Pascal Street in a car. He did not notice any lights in Price’s house. At 4.45 p;m. on the same day his wife rang him and he went home, whereupon he was informed that Mr Price was dead. At tea at 6 p.m. year-old son of witness said: 'The funnv boy said his father shot himself. The Coroner: Do you know where your little boy was between 5 and 6 p.m.?—lt would help ue very much it we knew when he was out a second time. I would like to know very much whether it was between 5 p.m. and Witness said he understood that his bov was not out between 6.30 p.m. and 5.45 p.m. His wife might know. The Coroner: It is very important. Witness added that he had seen Mr Price the day before the tragedy and deceased seemed in very good spirits. Witness made a payment of £2O to him in notes for interest payments as he had missed the solicitor. Replying to Mr McGregor, witness stated that ho first went home at 4.45 o’clock on the Wednesday evening and discussed the tragedy _ with his wife, who had previously discussed it with her little bov, but at that time there had been no'mention of Mr Price having been shot. Mr McGregor: I suppose you know that the money which you paid on account of interest to Mr Price has still to be discovered? —I have heard that. I did not inquire. Senior-Detective Quirke informed the Coroner that from 5.35 p.m. to 7.30 p.m. that night the witness John Price had no opportunity of speaking to the boy Wilson, as he was m sight all the. time. • ‘ , His Worship stated that the matter was. not one for argument, but one which had to be inquired into. < Ross Nathaniel Meikle, picture theatre manager, was the next witness. He said he resided with Mr Wilson at 61 Featherston Street, the house being next to that occupied deceased. With Mr and Mrs Wilson he arrived home at 12.30 a.m. on March o. Price’s house was in darkness. He heard a shot at 12.50 a.m. and went out on to the verandah. Nothing unusual seemed to be happening so he returned into the house. The sound came from the direction of Price s house and appeared like a gunshot. That afternoon Mrs Wilson telephoned him at about 4 p.m. and he thought she said that the boy, her son, had told her that “funny boy” had said Mr Price had shot himself, bhe said she had spoken to John Price, who had tola her that his father had died of haemorrhage. Replying to Mr McGregor, witness said liis opinion was that Mrs \\ llson had informed him over the telephone of what her boy had said, although she had no recollection of it. The boy was quite sure of what had been told him. Proceedings were then adjourned until 10 a.m. to-day.