"SHOOT ON SIGHT"

New Zealand Herald, Volume 78, Issue 24103, 23 October 1941, Page 8

"SHOOT ON SIGHT"

IF GRAHAM ARMED DIRECTION TO POLICE EVIDENCE AT INQUEST SETTLERS' VALUABLE AID (0.C.) GREYMOUTII, Wednesday Adjourned from the previous day, the inquest into the death of Stanley Graham was resumed before the coroner, Mr. A. E. Benjamin, at Hokitika this afternoon in order to permit the departure of Constable .J. D. A. Quirk, of Auckland, who shot Graham, and Constable E. C. Ross, of Lyttelton, a witness of the final shooting. Both witnesses gavo evidence on the lines of earlier published interviews. Addressing Constable Quirk, the coroner asked: "What were your instructions?" Constable Quirk: To take part in the searcli and to shoot him on sight if ho was armed. Graham, when seen, was carrying rifle strapped to hi 3 back, but it could easily have been brought into action. On the application of Inspector D. L. Calwell, of Greymouth, the inquest was adjourned sine die. Graham was buried privately at the Hokitika cemetery this morning. Tho funeral left the hospital near by and proceeded direct to the cemetery, where a service was conducted by the Rev. T. Childs. Commissioner's Visit The Commissioner of Police. .Mr. D. J. Cummings, to-day visited the Hokitika district and conveyed thanks to the Koiterangi and Kokatahi people for their assistance in the way of billets, meals and other comforts. Ho presented £lO 10s subscribed by the police for the women of the district to use as they thought fit. Mr. Cummings mentioned to-day that many people engaged in the search had used up all the petrol that they had had for use on their farms, and he announced that the department would make good any petrol so used, also any damage that their vehicles might have received. He also announced that the department would hand over to the hall committee the large tank installed at the Koitcrangj Hall to supplement a small one there. Searchers Return Home Tho commissioner paid a final visit to relatives of the victims of the shootings, including relatives of Stanley Graham. Mr. Cummings will leave for Christchurch to-day on his return to Wellington. Inspectors J. Sweeney, of Wellington, and J. Carroll, of Christchurch, left to-day on their return, while a large number of constables from various parts of the Dominion left last night and to-day. The Army men arrived in Greymouth to-day and have been granted a day's special leave. ° Until the return to Wellington of the commissioner there will be no permanent appointments of police officers to fill the vacancies in the Hokitiba police district, including Kanieri, caused by tho shooting of a sergeant and three constables. Meanwhile officers from Christchurch are carrying c:i a*. Hokitika temporarily.