INQUEST RESUMED.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18537, 7 April 1930, Page 8

INQUEST RESUMED.

PALMERSTON BUILDER’S DEATH. By Telegraph.—Press Association. PALMERSTON N., April 5. The circumstances surrounding the death of Walter Edwin Price, builder, Palmerston North, were the subject of an inquiry by the Coroner, Mr J. L. Stout, S.M., this morning. Deceased was found dead in a bedroom, of his home in Featherston street with a gunshot wound near the mouth. Mrs Wilson, whose husband gave evidence yesterday, said from her knowledge, her son did not see John Price between 5 p.m. and 5.45 p.m. on March 5. Recalled, Edward Wilson said he saw John Price at 5 p.m. on the day of the tragedy. No reference was then made as to the cause of the father’s death. E. G. Webber, journalist, said he saw John Price on March 8. He asked him when he first knew his father was shot, he replied:—“About 4 o’clock on the day he was found.” George Gilbert Hancox, gave evidence of hearing a report after midnight similar to the discharge of a gun, coming from the vicinity of Price’s house.

Dorothy Nagle, whose parents are neighbours of Price, said that on March 5, John Price came to their house about 8 a.m., and asked for her father. Price added: “My father is dead.” He then went to see witness’ father. He was walking as usual, at the ordinary pace. His demeanour was calm and collected. He was not hurried or excited. She saw John Price again at 10 a.m. at the latter home. His manner was not altered. He showed no sign of agitation on either occasion. Witness went to Price’s home and helped the son to clean up the house between 10 and 10.30 a.m. His manner was just the same. Price came to their place to dinner later. Reference was made to his father’s death during that time. John Price was perfectly normal, and showed no signs of distress. William Nagle, a retired farmer, gave evidence of being informed by Price of his father’s death. He and Brogden and Price junr. went to the house On the arrival of the doctor they went into the bedroom. Witness said the body before removal was under the bed up to the upper part of the chest. The left hand was out from the body. Of this he was quite positive. If the doctor said the opposite witvess still maintained he was right. Witness said there was no sign of disorder about the room. From what he saw he would say the deceased died where he was found. The Coroner remarked that he would like to get to the bottom of the reason for John Price remarking to Mr Nagle “I cannot be hanged for that.”

Witness said he saw deceased the night before he died. He seemed cheerful, talking about the house he was building. Witness had agreed to finance Price’s building operations so long as the security was there. The inquest was adjourned to Friday next.