THE WALKER MYSTERY.

Waikato Times, Volume 105, Issue 17613, 18 January 1929, Page 8

THE WALKER MYSTERY.

INQUEST RESUMED. A STATEMENT DENIED. .YESTERDAY’S PROCEEDINGS. (By Telegraph.—Press Assn.) AUCKLAND, Thursday. The inquiry was not resumed until this afternoon, when Constable Bowman, recalled, denied that Constable Jackson warned the Hamilton police that if they did -not get Bill Bayly before his father saw him they were not likely to And out anything about the case. The telephonic communication took place at 2.30 in the morning, whereas Jackson said he had telephoned from Te Puke at 3 o clock. Baylys Gave Every Help. Mr Northcroft: You interviewed Mrs Bavly ?—Yes. All the Baylys. Was there any suggestion of an obstruction on the part of Mr Bayly, sen., or any member of the family'.—No. The Baylys helped me every way they could. They answered alt questions freely. They did not try to hide anything? —No. They gave me every assistance thev possibly could. Detective-Sergeant Kelly was recalled and said he took statements from all the Baylys. Mr Northcroft: Were you embarrassed or hindered in any way? Witness: The statements were taken separately, and given freely • There was no sign of any obstruction of any kind? —No. The Coroner: Was there an altercation between Constable Jackson and Mr Bayly when you arrived? —Yes. After the evidence of Constable Jackson on the point had been read out, witness was asked if it was right. He answered: No. I w r ould not say it is right altogether. The Coroner: What happened, then. —The constable told Mr Bayly 7 he was smart, and that he was not going to speak to the constable as he had to his wife on the previous Saturday when the constable said he spoke to her like a pig. I said, “Stop this rowing, and let us get on with the inquiry.” Anything more? —There was an apology tendered by Mr Bayly for anything he had said which might be unkind. Mr Northcroft: Were the words due to the taking of the key or to the interview? —The key only. Adelaine Selkirk, milliner, Mount Eden, employed in Miss Nidd’s shop, Karangahape Road, said she remembered Mr William Bayly calling at her shop- with Mr Fawcett recently. Solicitor’s Evidence. Robert B. Lusk, solicitor, of Auckland, said Frank Bayly was an intimate friend of his. Bayly arrived at witness’ house on the Sunday, and told how 7 far the inquest had gone and added that, from what he had heard of the doctor’s opinion, death was due to natural causes. He said he had intended going out to see bis son and that now he would like to go out that afternoon and see him, and ask him if he could understand the detective's question regarding a key of the car. As witness had nothing to do he decided to go out with Bayly. Mr Northcroft: You have heard the suggestion of Constable Jackson that you were out on an expedition to defeat the police?—Yes. The Coroner: The constable did not know he was going out. Mr Northcroft: No, but if he is to be believed he warned the superior officers to get hold of Bill and his father.

No Uneasiness Apparent. Continuing, witness said that on arrival at Henderson Bayiy said to his son: “Have you heard the horrible thing about Elsie Walker?” The boy replied: “No.” The father then explained. lie asked the hoy about the car key and Bill said the last he had seen of it was when ne had handed it over to his mother.

During the talk Bill said: “Do you know any more than dad has said about Elsie?” Witness replied that he knew no more than what had appeared in the newspapers, and what Frank Bayly had said. Mr Northcroft: Did you hear this shrewd man telling his son how to get out of the toils of the police, as Constable Jackson has suggested?— No. Was there any uneasiness on the part of the father? —No. Had there been anxiety I would have expected to be consulted on the subject, being an old friend. As far as you know it was the first Bill had heard of Elsie Walker's death —if he knew before he was a very good actor. Did Bill not ask questions and discuss theories?—No. His father had told him it was mysterious. And he never once while you were there speculated as to how the girl got away from home and died?—No. He asked if nothing was known how it happened and his father said it was an absolute mystery. Virtually, then, Bill let the matter of Elsie Walker drop after asking you if you knew any more than his father? —Yes. And the conversation was then about the farm and the orchard?—Yes. Mr Northcroft: Did the failure to ask the questions suggested cause you to think of any ill-feeling?—No. They didn’t. The' Coroner: Did he tell Bill the police might make inquiries as to where he was on the Monday?—Not that I can call to mind. TO-DAY’S PROCEEDINGS. MRS W. BAYLY’S EVIDENCE. (By Telegraph.—Press Assn.) AUCKLAND, Friday. The Walker inquest was resumed at 11 o’clock. Phyllis Dorothy Bayly, wife of William Alfred Bayly, said she was married at Auckland on August 29, after that living at Epsom while her husband boarded elsewhere. She remembered on the Sunday before Elsie Walker's disappearance, meeting her husband at midday, and they went out in the afternoon, and had tea at Mrs Fowler’s (where witness was staying). Her husband then left to visit friends. She next saw her husband in Queen Street at 2.45 on Monday afternoon. They paid a bill and she bought a hat . and they had tea in the city, looked at the shops, and returned to Epsom at 8 p.m. (on October Ist.). Bill left her then, and returned for her to Epsom at 11 o’clock next morning.

They had lunch in the city, went to the pictures, and had afternoon tea with a friend, meeting nobody else that afternoon. They had tea together at Epsom, Bill leaving at 8 o'clock. She [ went out to Henderson on Wednesday. The Coroner: Where did your husband go on the Monday morning? i Witness: Out to Henderson. Why didn’t you go?—f had no wish to. Didn’t you want to see the place where you were to live ?—I knew my husband would see if all right. The Coroner: How curious! — “That is all the evidence likely to throw any light directly or indirectly on the mystery,” said Mr Meredith, after the milliners’ assistant had been called. “Exhaustive inquiries had been made, and everywhere had elicited the fact that Elsie Walker was an exceedingly nice and well-behaved girl.” Mr Hunt: Is there any further inquiry you would like me to call? Mr Mowbray (for the girl’s father) : No, all I’m concerned about is the character of the girl, and the evidence has plainly shewn it is good. Mr Norlhcroft stated, however, that he wanted the evidence of the conversation between the Hamilton and Te Puke police and Constable Bowman (Auckland) ; particularly Hamilton’s version. Mr Hunt: That is more or less an inside police matter. Mr N'orthcroft: People in Auckland have gone a long way to discount the Te Puke Constable’s statements, and I think this evidence is important to my clients. Mr Hunt: I do not want to waste the public's time. I do not think the papers are relative to the girl’s death. Mr N'orthcroft: I insist that the evidence should be produced. Mr Hunt then said that, although not customary for counsel to address the Court at Coronial inquiries, he was prepared to give Mr N’orthcroft an opportunity. He asked Mr Meredith if the latter had any point to raise. Mr Meredith: It is not for me to comment. Mr N'orthcroft said he would be unable to finish his comments before lunch, but he „would be glad of an opportunity when the inquest reopened at 10 a.m. on Tuesday.