READING MURDER INQUIRY

Taranaki Daily News, 14 October 1929, Page 9

READING MURDER INQUIRY

POWERS OF THE CORONER NOTORIETY FOR P. V. DREW HERO WORSHIP SUBSIDES By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright. Australian Press Association. Received Oct, 13, 5.5 p.m. London, Oct. 12. • The question of a coroner’s powers continues to be widely discussed as a result of the Reading murder inquest. Mr. Martin, the coroner, said Philip Yale Drew, an actor who had been closely examined in connection with - the crime, was treated fairly at the inquest, which was conducted in a similar manner to all others. He himself was inclined to agree that a coroner’s duty should be confined to determining th® cause of death, but this and other points which have been raised were matters for the legislature. • Drew is no longer the local idol. The orgy of hero-worship ceased as suddenly as it began, and Drew is able to walk with the same freedom as any other person. Yesterday his appearance held up the traffic and thousands cheer-,' ed, but to-day he is in solitude, like an actor who has lost his audience. When he posed for photographers outside his hotel not more than a dozen loiterers looked on.

Drew says candidly he is an actor who likes publicity, but he is perturb-’ ed at the thought that he may be regarded as a notoriety seeker. Asked whether he thought the inquest would have any effect on his career, he replied: "I do not know. It may be a good thing, but notoriety may turn people against me. It will be an anxious moment when I make my next appearance. Producers have been .tumbling over themselves for my services, and offered £6O for me to appear in a five minutes talkie; but I have decided nothing, yet. It is easy to commercialise publicity, but that is the last thing I intend to do.” v