POLICE METHODS

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume XXIV, 28 February 1929, Page 5

POLICE METHODS

THE ELSIE WALKER CASE. COMMISSION’S INQUIRY CONTINUES. (Per Press Association —vnght) AUCKLAND, this day. In the Elsie Walker enquiry, Inspector J. W. Hollis was further cross-examined. Discussing h:s reason for the belief in the first instance that death was due to natural causes, Inspector Hollis said it was diM to the absence of motive, the condition of the locality, and the reports submitted In answer to the Commissioner, witness said he had had a definite theory of the ease prior to the inquest. He had thought that the girl went away because she was dissatisfied and took umbrage at the arrival of her cousin. He thought, too, that she was responsible for the disappearance of certain articles from the Bayly’s home and had taken fright and possibly died of exhaustion. Air Page asked why Detectivesergeant Kelly was replaced. Witness said that in view of the publicity given the case, it was desirable to have a fresh mind working on the case. To Mr Johnstone, witness said that a girl had been seen by a driver of a steam roller and if she was the girl Walker she had an oppoitunity to make a complaint. Had a stranger been at the Bayly’s farm when the girl disappeared the dogs would have barked. Referring to the Chief Detective, Mr Johnstone asked: There must be a number of matters in which he must take a lone hand? —Yes. Witness considered that the girl Walker had driven the ear, in view of the statement of the steam roller driver, and still maintained that she left of her own accord and abandoned the ear in fear of the act of taking it. Inspector Hollis concluded bis evidence at this stage after nearly two days in the box. The Chief-Detective was next in the box and gave lengthv evidence.

Speaking of the extensive nature of the enquiry in the case, ChiefDetective Hammond said: "In all my 34 years of work in the Police Department, I can say this ease has received more attention than any other ease I have known in New Zealand.” The case had not merited the large enquiry it had received, because it was not a murder, nor did it have the elements of murder. The publicity given to it had caused a great deal of investigation to be made — investigation which was not warranted. Enterprising reporters from newspapers had rushed about the .country getting scares here and there.

When questioned by Mr Johnson as to the extent of the enquiries, witness said: “When we took 20 statements after interviewing people we saw 100 persons.” Asked by Mr Currie if it would not have been better if the body had not been stripped, witness said that honestly speaking he thought it would have been better if it had been left alone.