EVIDENCE AT INQUEST

Manawatu Standard, Volume LV, Issue 194, 16 July 1935, Page 2

EVIDENCE AT INQUEST

THE TAMAKI TRAGEDY. COMMENT BY DETECTIVE. Per Press Association. AUCKLAND. July 10. “The delay in finalising the matter was due to obstructive tactics encountered by the police in their inquiries,” said Detect,ivel-Sergcant AValsh at the conclusion of the hearing of witnesses at the adjourned inquest to-day into the death of Mary Elizabeth Raymond. The body of Miss Raymond, who was a half-caste Maori, Was found in the Tamaki River on June 2. The inquest was further adjourned until to-morrow in order that the Coroner might further consider the position regarding certain letters which were destroyed. Evidence was given by a shopkeeper that Miss Raymond called on April 30 and was to return a week later, but did not.

Frededick James Hughes, brother-in-law of Miss Raymond, said slio stayed at his house on April 30 and left in the morning. She returned in a taxi in the afternoon and left again, saying she would be back at 5 o’clock. She never returned. AAitness Irad twice visited Hewer in an endeavour to find the girl.

Evidence of the search was given by Albert Edwin Burton, another brother-in-law. He said that he heard through the girl Peggy Robb that Miss Raymond was going to the place of a man named Hewer. Eileen Anaru, known as Peggy Robb, said she lived at the Pitt Street Hotel. She knew Mary Raymond well and had known her for about a year. She visited a Queen Street shop on April 30 and there met Mary Raymond, who was l>v herself. That was the first time she had seen her since before Christmas. She did not know how much money Mary had, but Alary wanted to borrow £3 10s from’ her. Mary had said that she had been living in Wellington with Dudley’ Bennett and his people. “She told me that she was living with Mrs Wilson in Manning Street, and said she had come to Auckland to be ‘fixed up,’ ” declared witness. “She said that Mrs AVilson would not ‘do’ her because she did not have enough money. I offered to help her. I told her I could not lend her any money, as I was not working. She asked me if I knew of anyone who would ‘do’ her. and I told her I had heard of Dr. Hewer.”

Air AA’alsh : Was Mary pleased that you were able to tell her of someone who would attend to her? —Yes. AVas she anxious to see Hewer? — She was, indeed. AVhat search did you make for Hower? —No search.

You heard a former witness say that Mary was bright?—l’ would not say that. Well, you have said she was relieved? —She was relieved, but very depressed. Now, what can you tell us about this phrase, “watery grave” ?—She did not say that to me.

“The expression, ‘watery grave,’ I first heard from Airs AA r ilson,” said witness. “That day Mary came in and said ‘Oh, Peggy, I don’t know what to do. I feel like doing myself in as I have made such a mess of tilings.’ At the hat shop Mary, said when she looked at the mirror, ‘This is the last time I will see myself again.’ ” What time did you start to look for Dr. Hewer on the AA’ednesday ? —AA e did not look for Hewer on the AAednesdav. Mary went home.

Why?—She did not tell me. Did she have a small parcel containing a nightdress in it? —No. AVhat time were you to meet Hewer? —No time was arranged. She went home to get her nightdress? —No. AVitness said she did not know if Alary had gone to Hewer’s rooms after they' parted. Alary Raymond was a complete blank to witness alter that afternoon. AYRITTEN STATEMENT.

AA’itness said that when she went to the detective office she took her statement with her. It was written in Mr Skelton’s office. It was written the same day- as the other statements. There was no reference to Hewer. Air Skelton had asked her time and again if she took Alary to Hewer. AVitness had told him she did not. The statement was partly dictated by Air Skelton.

Air AValsh ; AYliv did you not mention in your statement the intended visit to Dr. Hewer? —Because J never made any arrangements to go to Dr. Hewer. You have heard letters read by Dudley Bennett ?—Half of them. AY ho is the “doctor” referred to?— AYell, Dr. Hewer. It was stated in the letter that Dr. Hewer was doing the job on.Alary Raymond for £6 on account ol knowing her girl friend?—Yes, that was in the letter. Is that true? —No. Can you explain why Alary Raymond should hfive written untruths to Dudley Bennett ?—Yes ; she wrote that so tliat Dudley would not be worried about her. It‘had been arranged that we should go to Dr. Hewer next day. AVhen did von think of that answer? I did not think of it. It is true. The only part of that letter that is untrue is tlie part that refers to Hewer and you ?—Yes. To All- Singer, witness said she had never met Dr. Hewer until the night after Alary Raymond’s disappearance. AI iss Raymond left her at 2.10 p.m. AVitness did not wait there until 3.30 p.m., but went into a shop and looked at somo dress materials until 3 o'clock. At 3.30 sho became concerned about the absence of her friend. There bad been a previous disturbing occurrence that day. Alary had gone to have a drink of water and was scooping the water with her hands and letting it run over her face and down her frock. AVhen witness spoke to her about it, Alary replied : “I do not care what happens to me.” EVIDENCE BY PATHOLOGIST. Dr. AV alter Gilmour, pathologist at Auckland Hospital, said he had made a post-mortem examination of the body of Alary Raymond. Decomposition was advanced on June 3, and death bad occurred about one month before. AH the pelvic organs were missing. “No cause of death was iound, ’ said Dr. Gilmour. “There was no evidence of death from violence, and thero was no evidence of disease in tiie organs present such as would be likely to cause death. AVitli decomposition so far advanced it was impossible to exclude death from drowning.” Air AValsh: Could you draw any conclusion from the fact that there was no foreign matter in the windpipe p —if death had been due to drowning, one might have found some foreign substance in the windpipe. The Coroner: If Alary Raymond had undergone an illegal operation on May 1, and things had not gone quite right, what might have followed?— There might have been sudden death from shock and haemorrhage, or there might liavo been fatal blood poisoning. “I think that if there bad been blood poisoning I would have found some evidence pointing to it,” Dr. Gilmour added. “That is the evidence. Your AA’orship,” Detective .AValsh said. “Tho de-

lay in finalising the matter was due to obstructive tactics encountered by the police in their inquiries. It is to be regretted, sir. that these people were not sent to the police in the first instance. So far as the majority of the witnesses were concerned, and that includes tho half-caste girl Anaru, they were not placing themselves in peril in making full discovery to the poliro in regard to tho unfortunato girl.” “I don’t know if Air AValsh feels there i.s any necessity for an answer from me,” Air Singer said. “As far as I am concerned it cannot be suggested that there was anything of hindrance.” Air Singer added that from tho time tho witness Anaru came into his ken everytliing was done to enable her to give' a statement under humane conditions. Tho Coroner said he had thought of asking for some further evidence —he did not know- whether he should insist on it —relating to the destruction of letters which had been handed to Air Hall Skelton. Air 'AValsh asked what witnesses the Coroner might wish to call. The Coroner: It is because witness is a solicitor that I am reluctant to call him. Ho is acting now for Bennett. I shall give the matter some further consideration. The inquest was then adjourned until to-morrow.