FOUR WITNESSES REMAIN SILENT.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18623, 27 November 1928, Page 5

FOUR WITNESSES REMAIN SILENT.

UNUSUAL POSITION AT AUCKLAND INQUEST.

AUCKLAND, November 26. An inquest concerning the death of Freda Helen Clark, aged twenty-nine, late of Te Aroha, 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., at the Police Court to day. Last week, when the inquest was reopened, there was much legal argu ment between the Coroner and Mr Singer, counsel for Mr and Mrs Colnett and others, when Chief-Detective Hammond questioned Mrs Doris Dannefeard (sister of deceased), about one or two letters which had been recovered by the police from Miss Clark’s room at Te Aroha. Mr Singer suggested that Mrs Dannefeard should be al lowed 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 for 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 the 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 author ity 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 also declined to say if Freda Clark was 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’s 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 twenty pupils. Mrs Doris Bauer said she owned a motor-car. She declined to answer further questions about Mrs Dannefeard and deceased, Miss Clark, and also whether she was at the Newton police station, as her answers might incriminate her. Many other questions were asked b)' Mr Meredith with the same result. Percy Seymour George Sowerbj’, 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 the most dreadful thing I’ve ever heard. I don’t intend to have the inquest bluffed out like this. Mr Meredith: Do you know that Freda Clark is dead? Witness: I decline to answer. The Magistrate: That can’t incriminate you. If you don’t answer a question like that, which is a thing we all know, I’ll commit you. Mr Singer then objected to Mr Hunt speaking to Mr Sowerby in such a manner. “ The 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 y*our 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?—l also decline to answer that. Mr Hunt: You will tell me nothing whatever about it? Witness: No. Mr Hunt: Step down. After further evidence, the inquest was adjourned, the Coroner saying: “ I don’t propose to close it. It is'most unsatisfactory.”