ELSIE WALKER CASE.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18200, 26 February 1929, Page 10

ELSIE WALKER CASE.

INQUIRY INTO POLICE METHODS. oy Telegraph —Press Association. AUCKLAND, February 25. The inquiry into the conduct by the police of the Elsie Walker case was resumed this morning. Superintendent Wohlmann, crossex a milled, said Constable Collins was justified, under the circumstances, in assuming that death was not due to J violence. The medical evidence, for | about six weeks, corroborated the conj stable’s decision when lie found the body. lie was not aware of any reason being given by Drs. Murray and Gilmour for their vital change of opinion. They at first stated mat they did not think any violence had been done, and later paid much attention to a bruise on the head.

Mr Finlay said there was no essential difference in the evidence of Dr. Gilmour to the first report. Answering a further question. Superintendent Wohlmann said Detective-Sergeant Ivellv gave instructions for the removal of the body to the morgue. Outlining the work “of the ChiefDetective, witness said the ChiefDetective had not got time to consider quietly and fully the lines of action to he followed when a big case was suddenly presented. One remedy would be to relieve tho Chief-Detective of : the duty of conducting cases at Court. ! He could say that the Elsie Walker j case was grappled with in the early | stages to an extent commensurate with its importance. I Replying to a question by the Com- ! missionor. Superintendent Wohlmann [said: “T think'the Chief-Detective hero is overworked, and I think the Inspector has about the maximum burden he ‘‘an carrv.” The time had not arrived in New Zealand when the country could afford the high cost of having a number of detectives in tho smaller towns. There was no commissioned officer employed solely for detective work in Auckland.