PRICE INQUEST

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 101, 1 May 1930, Page 14

PRICE INQUEST

FURTHER INQUIRIES

NO MOTIVE FOR MURDER

SON UE&ED TO SPEAK

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.) PALMERSTON N., This Day. The inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the death at Palmerston North of Walter Edwin Price was continued this morning before the Coroner, Mr. J. L. Stout, S.M. Detective Russell said that extensive inquiries had failed to reveal anyone who had enmity to the deceased, or was likely to do him harm. Dr. Laurenson, of Matamata, had been interviewed by the police. He had stated that l.c had attended the deceased following a motor accident in January, 1929. Subsequently Price appeared to be suffering from spinal neurasthenia, which was likely to produce fits of depression, which Price did suffer. It was not improbable that he might take his life in such circumstances. Detective Russell produced a similar statement of the injuries from Dr. Putman, who, however, said that he had observed no marked signs of depression in April,-1929. Following on an examination of the witness by Mr. M'Gregor, the solicitor for the Price family, concerning a missing sum of money stated to be in the house, the Coroner said that there was no evidence that money was ever in the house. It was no use suggesting homicide. "The only person who can tell anything is Price, and you will hardly get anything from him," he added. Senior Detective Quirke said that all inquiries had failed to reveal the gun. LETTERS WRITTEN BY DECEASBD. John Price, the chief witness, son of the deceased and the central figure in the proceedings, was then recalled with an intimation that questions would subsequently be asked. Senior-Detective Quirke handed to him for private perusal three letters in his father's handwriting. . ■ ' The Coroner (to Price): "You havo read those letters. Would you like them read out in Court, as we will be forced to do?" Witness: ■ "No, sir.'' The Coroner: "Perhaps you would like to think over the matter and see if you cannot tell us anything more. This matter can be cleared up in another way. Is it necessary for me to make these letters public? There is a certain amount of suspicion that you know more than you have told us. That is my own impression so far." Witness: "Sir, I know no more. I did not know what was in those letters." . The Coroner: "Did you know that there had been a quarrel between your father and your mother?" Witness: "No, sir." The Coroner suggested again that the witness might think-the matter over, otherwise there would be no alternative to calling his mother, who, he understood, was not Jli a fit condition to give evidence, being-in a state of collapse. Mr. M'Gr'cgor: "She can only whisper. " The Coroner: "We don't want her to collapse in Court." ANOTHER ADJOURNMENT. .Mr. M'Gregor: "She is anxious to give evidence." ;The Coroner: "Apparently it is no good asking this boy anything further at present. The only thing is to adjourn again. There is a reference to a gun in one of those letters. This is evidently going to be a painful business for Mrs. Price. We shall have to adjourn this until after the Supreme Court session." , ' Mr. M' Gregor suggested that the proceedings should be adjourned sine die. Addressing John Price, the Coroner said: "The position is that I will have to call your mother and also recall you afterwards. Perhaps you will think over this' matter. Any further light which you may throw on this matter will save your mother from going through this ordeal. I cannot close this inquest at this stage, as the suggestion of homicide came from you and your mother. It will have to be cleared up. The Coroner then adjourned the inquest sine die.