FREDA CLARK’S DEATH

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIII, 27 November 1928, Page 6

FREDA CLARK’S DEATH

INQUEST RESUMED WITNESSES REFUSE TO ANSWER QUESTIONS (By Telegraph—Press Association) AUCKLAND, 26th November. The mniiesl concerning the dcalii <•! Freda Helen Clark, aged 29, who died ut the house of Mrs Georgina Colnolt, ot Grey I.vnn on the morning of Ist November. was resumed before the Coroner, .Mr F. K. Hunt, S.M.. in the Magisfiale's Court. Last week', when the inquest was reopened, there was much legal argument between the Coroner am! Mr S. Singer, counsel for Mr and Mrs Coined and others, when Chief Detective Hammond questioned Mrs Doris Dannefeard (sister of the deceased) about one of two letters which had been recorded by the pMice, from Miss Clark's room at Te Aroha. Mr Singer suggested ihat Mrs DannefearJ should be allowed to decline to answer certain questions, and the Magistrate abruptly adjourned the proceedings, and directed that the Crown Solicitor should take charge on behalf of the police. This afternoon Mr V. R. Meredith appeared for the police. ’ Mrs Doris Dannefeard again went into the witness box-, and Mr Meredith asked witness-who “Ruth” was. She replied ihat Ruth was Miss Simms, of Mount Albert.

When shown the letter she declined (o answer a question as to the signature, and also the writing, on the ground that it might incriminate her. “Do you know Mrs Bauer?” she was asked. Witness again declined to answer. When the typewritten deposition had been read over to Mrs Dannefeard Mr Singer instructed her not lo sign her name. - Tim Magistrate: “What objection is there to that?” Counsel; “She is not going to assist the police.” Ihe Magistrate; “I am not sure about whether she can refuse to sign."' Counsel: “Well if there is any authority which says she must sign she will sign.” George Alfred Colnett, tutor of French, declined to sav whether ho was at home on. the day Freda Clark died. He also declined to say if Freda Clark was in the house, who the occupants of the house were, whether lie knew Mrs Bauer-, or if lie had communicated with the police.

After the evidence of Mrs Doris Bauer and Mrs Colnett, a trained nurse, had been taken, the inquest was adjourned, the Coroner saying: “I don’t propose to close it. It is most unsatisfactory.”