EVIDENCE AT INQUEST.

Manawatu Standard, Volume L, Issue 139, 12 May 1930, Page 6

EVIDENCE AT INQUEST.

. DISCRETION OF CORONER. LETTER PROPERLY NOT READ. TE AROHA, May 10. In returning a verdict of suicide at an inquest at Te Aroha recently the coroner, Mr J. Motley, refused to accept as evidence a letter found in the deceased man’s coat pocket, which was written by him in the presence of several people a few moments before he swallowed poison. Mr Motley said the letter reflected on certain individuals, and he would not allow the statements it contained to be read in the Court. He added that he would enclose a copy of the letter with the depositions, and would ask the Department of Justice to state whether he was right in withholding it. The following reply has now been received from Mr R. P. Ward, Undersecretary to the Justice Department : “ln reply to your ietter of April 29, I beg to inform you that the question as to what you " admit as evidence when holding an inquest is a matter for your own discretion. For the reasons given by you, I consider you exercised your discretion wisely.”