THE PRICE MYSTERY

Southland Times, Issue 21072, 2 May 1930, Page 8

THE PRICE MYSTERY

GUN STILL MISSING

INQUIRY CONTINUED

A MOTHER’S ORDEAL

(Per United Press Association.)

Palmerston North, May 1

The inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the death at Palmerston North of a builder, Walter Edwin Price, was continued this morning before Mr Stout, S.M., the Coroner. Detective Russell said that extensive inquiries had failed to reveal anyone who had enmity to the deceased or was likely to do him harni. Dr. Laurenson, of Matamata, had been interviewed by the police and had stated that he had attended the deceased following a motor accident in January, 1929. Subsequently Price appeared to be suffering from spinal neurasthenia likely to produce the fits of depression which Price did suffer. It was not improbable that he might take his life under such circumstances.

Detective Russell produced a similar statement of injuries from Dr. Putman, who, however, said that he had observed no marked signs of depression in April, 1929.

Following the examination of witness by Mr McGregor, the solicitor for the Price family, concerning a missing sum of money stated to be in the house, the Coroner said that there was no evidence that money had ever been in the house and there was no use in suggesting homicide. “The only person who can tell anything is Price and you will hardly get anything from him,” he said.

Senior Detective Quirke said that all the inquiries had failed to reveal the gun. John Price, the chief witness and son of the deceased and the central figure in the proceedings, was then recalled. With a statement that questions would subsequently be asked, Senior Detective Quirke handed to him for private perusal three letters in his father’s handwriting.

The Coroner (to John Price): You have read those letters. Would you like them read out in court as we .will be forced to do ? John Price: No sir.

The Coroner: Perhaps you would like to think over the matter and,see if you cannot tell us anything more. This matter can be cleared up in another way. Is it necessary for me to make these letters public? There is a certain amount of suspicion that you know more than you told us and that is my own impression so far.

John Price: Sir, I know no more. I did not know what was in those letters. The Coroner: Did you know that there had been any quarrel between your father and your mother? John Price: No sir.

The Coroner suggested again that witness might think the matter over, otherwise there would be no alternative to calling liis mother who he understood was not in a fit conditon to give evidence, being in a state of collapse. Mr McGregor: She can only whisper. The Coroner; We don’t want her to collapse in court. Mr McGregor: She is anxious to give evidence. .

The Coroner: Apparently it is no good asking this boy anything further at present and the only thing is to adjourn again. There is a reference to a gun in one of those letters. This is evidently going to be a painful business to Mrs Price. Wp shall have to adjourn this until after the Supreme Court session. Mr McGregor suggested that proceedings should be adjourned sine die. Addressing John Price the Coroner said: “The position is I will have to call your mother and also recall you afterwards. Perhaps you will think over this matter and any further light which you may throwon this matter will save your mother from going through this ordeal. I cannot close the inquest at this stage. The suggestion of homicide came ■ from you and your mother and it will have to be cleared up.” The inquest then adjourned sine die.