AN INQUEST

Hokitika Guardian, 12 January 1929, Page 5

AN INQUEST

'By Telegraph.—Special to Guahjuan). AUCKLAND. January 11. Hill Itayly continued—Witness denied seeing nobody on Henderson’s properly. lie went hack to Auckland and had lunch, hut could not remember where, though it was by himself, and he did not see anybody he knew, and met his wife at three o’clock (on October Ist). In answer to the prosecution, witness said lie <1 id not see anybody he knew between lunch and three o’clock, whereon Mr Norlhcroft remarked— “ lie’s a complete stranger to Auckland.”

Prosecutor Meredith—Why did you have lunch in town instead of at the boardinghouse. You were not too Hush, you know.

Witness: I often had lunch in town, and I knew I could get more money if I wanted it later, lie went with his wife to tiny a hat 'for her. The colour was pink ami the price IDs 11(1. hut lie did not know whether or not, he got an invoice for it. They went down looking at the' shops and had a light tea, hut lie could not remember where. The Prosecutor—You have been asked previously whore you spent October i st : j

Witness—Yes, hut not till a week afterwards.

The Prosecutor—Could not you i-e member better then?

Witness—No, 1 don’t think so. After tea on October Ist he and his wife went to see friends at Epsom. He detailed his movements and was omphalic that this was the night of Monday. October Ist. They went to bed at the boardinghouse at H.3U, and he got up if nr breakfast at the usual time in the morning of Tuesday. At first he din not change rooms at the boardinghouse, hut he may have changed tables at. breakfast-. Besides a man named Cashell lie did not. know the names of anybody else at hresakfast that morn-

Tln» Prosecutor—-Of course, Rayly, you knew your movements have been questioned in connection with the death of Elsie Walker? Re loro any answer was given the Coroner remarked—l think we will adjourn. The room is very study.

The ('curt Dice rose till 2.3 u p m

At the beginning of the afternoon silting. William Alfred Rayly. was further examined hv Air Meredith. "Of course Rayly you know that your movements are questioned in connection with the death of Elsie Walker?” repeated Air Meredith— I know my movements have been subject to question.” said Baylv. Bavly. who had gone into the witness box an hour before luncheon, was iu the box throughout the nfteinoon. He was subjected to searching questioning by AD' Meredith, regarding his movements on the Monday on which deceased disappeared, and the following day. Every detail of Baylv’s day. from the time he rose in the morning until he went to hod on Atondav night was sought, hv .Mr Meredith. and this examination lasted n considerable time.

The effect of Raylv’s statement was that he spent the day in Auckland, partlv wifli his wife, ami .spent Hie evenin'. l, with friends at Epsom, aftei which he returned to a city hoardiii'diousc and went to hod. Ravlv said until his father told him. bo did not know that Elsie Walker was missing. The Coroner: Had yon not seen a lianer—No I had not. I did not know nniil my 'father told me. Did your father snv anything about i, key—ALv father said the police bad mv key of the ear. but T told him T know nothing about it. JTo wanted to know what the police meant when the said iliev had any key, and Elsie Walker’s fate -was lint discussed No we talked about land and rattle.

DETECTIVE’S INTERVIFAY. Witness said be Imd never been out with deceased alone. Answering Mr Norl.licrolt, who represents the Bayly family, witness said he was interviewed by Detective Kelly and later by Detective Bickerdick. Mr Northeroft asked: Previous to this you had heard of an attempt b.V Ibe police to no through your belongings siirrepl iously ?—Yes. Without a search warranl ? —yes, as far as I know. Did Detective Bickerdiek interview you alone Yes. WliaL did lie say?—That he was down io see about the poor dead girl. Tie said he was there in strict confidence and whatever T said would not go beyond him. He first found he was not overheard by looking in a room, and then In* asked if 1 was friendly with her. T told him there was no particular friendship, and lie said he was there to conduct investigations. He told me Hint whatever I said would he regarded ns in confidence. Witness coni i"iimd. saying that the defective fold him that whatever was «-.i(l would go lo the grave with him. He said the cirf was over sixteen wars and lie said that if witness would snv lie bad been iuHinale with her. if would lift suspicion Ifmin everyone down that wnv. Ravlv furl her said Hull Hie doto«five had said lie could no{. possible ineriminnf c bimsdf. A\ it ness bad ie-plb-d lo the detective that he was not , r( ,iii,r {si remove suspicion from anyone hv saving he Imd done anythin" be b-d not done. The detective had said Elsie was rather a good looking girl and tlint she would appeal to some people. Ravlv Imd said lie did not know anyone she had appealed to

and (lint Ih> lincl no reason to lioliove sin* laid lioon wil.li any younj' men. Tift* iiH|iiost was adjourned until Monday. Many wilnossos arc still to lie hoard,