A GIRL’S FATE

Waipukurau Press, Volume XXX, Issue 159, 15 July 1935, Page 5

A GIRL’S FATE

Inquest Proceedings INTO DEATH OF MARY RAYMOND IMPORTANT EVIDENCE (Per Press Association.) AUCKLAND, This Day. The inquest into the death of Mary Elizabeth Raymond, a young halfcaste Maori, whose body was found in the Tamaki River on June 2, was resumed to-day. Margaret Jane Wilson said that Miss Raymond arrived at her house on April 26. First she said she had come for a holiday, and then that she was in a certain condition, and had so been for three and a-half months. “She asked me if I would do her or if I would get her done,” said witness. “She asked me what it would cost, and I told her £l2 10/-. She said she would have to wait for word from Dudley Bennett. I told her nobody would do her because she' was a sick girl.” On Tuesday evening, April 30, Miss Raymond came in with her friend, Peggy Robb, and said she was going to stay at a girl friend’s place for a couple of days. She went and witness never saw her again. A day or two later a Mrs. Hughes called and said she feared something serious had happened to Mary. Witnes went to Hughes’ house and learned from what Peggy Robb said that Miss Raymond had been making arrangements to go to “Dr. Hewer.” At witness’s suggestion they went to Hewer and asked him if he had a pretty half-caste girl. He said no! but he had a very ugly Maori girl and said something about putting a sack on her head. Witness described her part in the endeavours made to find Miss Raymond. She subsequently identified the body in the morgue. Deceased had never said anything to her about suicide.