INQUIRY INTO WALKER CASE CONCLUDED

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6852, 6 March 1929, Page 7

INQUIRY INTO WALKER CASE CONCLUDED

REPORT IN DUE COURSE. Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, March 5. . When the police inquiry opened this morning, the Crown Solicitor, Mr Meredith, asked whether the Commissioner would permit him to give evidence in reply to a letter forwarded by Mr R. B. Lusk, solicitor for the Bayly family, to the Minister of Justice, in which Mr Meredith suggested a veiled threat was contained as to the manner in which he conducted the Coronial inquiry. Mr. Page, S.M., said that he had given some thought to the matter and had come to the conclusion that tho Coronial inquiry was not a matter within tho scope of the commission. The responsibility in that connection rested with Mr Meredith, and ho thought that he could not hear any evidence on the subject. Inspector Wohlmann, recalled, said that only one witness who was briefed was not called at the inquest and the ground that he might have covered was given in evidence by a witness in Auckland.

Detective-Sergeant Bickerdike stated in evidence that the statement he had made, that certain people interviewed had not been associated with Elsie Walker, conveyed his own opinion, based on his investigations. Questioned concerning Miss Annie Walker, witness said that it would have meant bringing her 70 miles on horseback to interview her. Had he thought she had anything in her possession which would have thrown light on the mystery the girl would have been interviewed. This concluded the evidence.

Mr Pago said that counsel had between them elicited facts with great care and thoroughness, but if any counsel desired to be hoard he would of course, hear him. Counsel agreed to confer on the subject and tho commission adjourned until 2.15 p.m. When the police inquiry was resumed this afternoon, counsel intimated that they did not desire to give addresses.

The newspaper files containing reports of the Elsie Walker inquest were handed in.

The Commissioner, Mr. Page, intimated that his Teport would be sent on in duo course and tho inquiry then terminated.