“MOST UNSATISFACTORY.”

Otago Witness, Issue 3899, 4 December 1928, Page 38

“MOST UNSATISFACTORY.”

RETICENT WITNESSES. REFUSAL TO ANSWER QUESTIONS. AUCKLAND, November 6. The inquest concerning the death of Freda Helen Clark, aged 29, late of Te Arolia, who died at the house of Mrs Georgina Colnett, Grey Lynn, on the morning of November 1, was resumed before the coroner, Mr F. K. Hunt, S.M., to-day. At the Police Court last week, when the inquest was reopened, there was much lethal argument between the coroner and M~ Singer, counsel for Mr and Mrs Colnett and others, when Chief Detective Hammond questioned Mrs Doris Dannefeard (sister of the deceased) about one of two letters which had been recovered by the police from Miss Clark’s room at To Aroha. Mr Singer suggested that Mrs Dannefeard should be allowed to decline to -answer certain questions. 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 foi the police. Mrs Doris Dannefeard again went into the witness box. Mr Meredith -asked witness who Ruth ” was. She replied that Ruth was Mrs Simms, of Mount Albert. When shown a letter, she declined to answer a question as to the signature, and also the writing, on the grounds that it might incriminate her. “Do you know Mrs Bauer?” she was asked. Witness again declined to answer. When her typewritten deposition had been read over to Mrs Dannefeard, Mr

Singer instructed her not to sign her name. The magistrate: What objection is there to that? Counsel: She is not going to assist the police. The magistrate: I am not so 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 say whether he was at home on the day Freda Clark died. He a'so declined to say if Freda Clark wa" in the house, who the occupants of the house were, whether he knew Mrs Bauer, or if he had communicated with the police. The magistrate: What is your wife?— She is a nurse. Is she a registered nurse?—No. Does she take in patients?—l decline to answer. How long have you been in the house? —Seventeen years. How do you earn your living?—l teach French, and have over 20 pupils.

Mrs Doris Bauer said she owned a motor car. She declined to answer further questions about Mrs Dannefeard and the deceased, and also whether she was at the Newton police station, as her answers might incriminate her. Many other 'questions were asked by Mr Meredith with the same result. Percy Seymour George Sowerby. a farmer living near Morrinsville, declined to say whether he was married or single. He was told by Mr Singer that he could answer but counsel advised him not to answer further questions. Mr Meredith: Did you know Miss Freda Clark? —Yes. Mr Singer: You had better be careful now. The magistrate (to Mr Meredith):. This is one of the most dreadful things I have ever heard. I do not intend to have the inquest bluffed out like this. Mr Meredith: Do you know that Freda . Clark is dead? —1 decline to answer. The magistrate: That cannot incriminate you. If you do not answer a question like that, which is a thing we all know, I will commit you. Mr Singer then objected to Mr Hunt speaking to Sowerby in such a manner. “ A coroner’s court cannot be used to obtain evidence for the police,” he said. Mrs Colnett said she was a trained nurse, but was not registered. She declined to say whether she knew Freda Clark or whether there was a death at her house on November 1. Was Mr Singer in your house on November 1?—I decline to answer. Was Mr Hyman there on that date? — I decline to answer. Are you prepared to give the court any assistance over the death of Miss Clark? —I also decline to answer that. Mr Hunt: You will tell me nothing xyhatever about it?—No. Mr Hunt: Step down. After further evidence, the inquest was adjourned, the coroner saying, “ I do not propose to close it. It is most unsatisfactory.”