INQUEST PROCEEDINGS

Hokitika Guardian, 22 June 1928, Page 3

INQUEST PROCEEDINGS

By Telegraph—Press Assn., Copyright,

CHRISTCHURCH, June 22,

The inquest into the death of Emily Alartha Forward, aged 21, found dead in a bach at Bowhill Road, New Brighton on June Gth, was resumed 'before (Air Alosley, Coroner, this morning. Death had taken place about ten weeks before the body was discovered.

F. D. Sargent appeared for William Burgess, a taxi driver, who had paid the rent of the bach. Constable Henderson said Aliss Forward’s head was lying towards a gas stove the tube of which had been disconnected. There was a writing pad open on the kitchen table.' There were two envelopes addressed to Bur-

gess. Ernest Leaver evidenced that he owned a rent collecting agency. In January last Burgess called and secured tho key of the bach, later taking a twelve months lease. Tlie rent had been paid up to Alay 19tli. Bur’’gess had paid the rent on three, if not more, occasions, personally to witness in the city. Witness had never been near the bach during Burgess’s tenancy. William Albert Burgess gave evidence that he first became acquainted with the girl about fifteen months ago.

Questioned b3’ tho Chief-Detective he admitted that the girl became in a certain condition as a result of their friendship. After leaving service in December, the girl said she had nowhere to go. Witness said she could go down to the baeli at Brighton and the girl went there. AVitness occupied a bach on the other side of the road and tho girl occasionally visited him there. Ho admitted leaving some clothing in Aliss Forward’s bach. The girl had very little money of her own, perhaps a few shillings. The Chief-Detective: How did she got on for food? Witness: ‘‘l used to go down in tho afternoons and give her food, about eight shillings worth a week.” AVitness said the girl was always asking him to marry her. He never answered her. AAitness did not toll her he was already married.

CORONER’S STRONG STRICTURES. The Coroner’s verdict was suicide by gas poisoning. He added: “During my somewhat lengthy experience of the weaknesses of human nature I have seldom met with a case of such callous indifference as has been revealed by tlie evidence which has been brought before mo this morning. It has revealed a state of things that- is a disgrace to our much-vaunted civilisation aiid certainly a disgrace to the man Burgess, who has given evidence before me.”