UNSOLVED MYSTERY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVI, Issue 17295, 20 October 1919, Page 6

UNSOLVED MYSTERY.

THE WHANGAREI FATALITY.

NO CLUE TO MOTOR-CYCLIST.

NO WITNESS OF COLLISION.

[BY TELEGRAPH.OWN CORRESPONDENT.]

WHANGABEI, Saturday.

Mystery still surrounds the accident in which Major George Clark Walker sustained fatal injuries, no fresh light bein* thrown upon the case at the adjourned inquest continued to-day before Mr. J. D. McKenzie, J.P., and a jury of six.

According to the evidence, the deceased left his home about 7 o'clock on the evening of October 9. intending to walk down to his office in the town, a, distance of about half a mile. He was then in his usual good health. A friend calling at his house after 10 o'clock that evening found him in bed.

"Come in," he raid. "I have been knocked down bv a motor-cvile and nearly killed."

He repeated the same statement to his daughter, who returned homi- a i:tt!e later, attaching no blame to the cyclist I who, he said, was as much hurt as himi self. He said he thought something wfnt i wrong with the steering gear of the motorI cycle. Major Clark Walker stated that I he was walking on the footpath, and the I motor-cycle, which was coming up behind him, suddenly mounted the curb and dashed into him, knocking him up against, the iron fence of the gasworks vard. Several people were about. ind some of them helped him to his feet. lie was bruised and shaken, but managed to wait home without help. He resisted the idea. of having a doctor, but his condition the, next morning led to his daughter calkng in Dr. W. Baxter, who saw the patient, shortly after eight o'clock, and remained with him until half-past nine, when he passed away. A post-mortem the following dav disclosed skin grazed oft below the* right shoulder blade and blood and serum in the abdominal cavity, besides other evidence of injury. Dr. Baxter stated at the inquest that the injuries were such as might be caused by collision with a motor-bic.yole. and the, cause of death was internal injurv and shock.

Senior-Sergeant CasseLls and Constable Clark stated that the police were not informed of any accident -until after the death on the Friday morning, and thought immediate steps were taken to make exhaustive inquiries no trace had been found of any witness who saw the accident or the motor-cyclist. .The jury returned the following verdict : —"That the deceased came by his death on October 10 from injuries received on the previous evening in Water Street, Whangarei, by being run into b\ a motor* cycle ridden by some person unknown." The case roused widespread interest in the district, of which Major Clark Walker was an old identity. He was one of the early members of the rough council, and his genial friendliness and intimate knowledge of affairs made him a popular and valuable personality in the life of the township. The accident occurred on the first night of the Whangarei races, and there were many people on the streets. The scene of the accident is close to the centre of the town, and on the main road to the hospital, yet no one who saw the accident has come forward. But for the statements of the deceased to his daughter, his friend, and the doctor there is jio clue -whatever for the police to follow. "