ELSIE WALKER INQUEST

Hokitika Guardian, 14 January 1929, Page 5

ELSIE WALKER INQUEST

FURTHHR EVIDENCE. (Hy Telegraph—Press Association). AUCKLAND, Jan. U. When the Elsie Walhor iiu|iiest was resumed to day, William Allred Ba.vfy, married, 22, who was in the box practically all Friday, was examined hy .Mr E. Jl. Northcroft (counsel lor Lhe Taylor family). Jiayly said there was no truth in the suggestion of the detective that he had threatened his brother Trevor with a hiding, if he said anything about Ins visit home at the time of Elsie's disappearance. He had never been on particularly friendly terms with the girl. Jle had never heard from her when away from home, and had not seen her since her disappearance from I’apamoa on October Ist, nor had he any knowledge concerning her leaving there. This concluded Bill's evidence after live and a half hours in the hox. .Mrs rdnslance Ivy Bayly (aunt of Elsie) said the girl’s position in the house was that of companion, at 12s (id weekly.

-Mrs Jlayly’s evidence finished Justus the luncheon adjournment was taken. The principal feature of her testimony was the statement by her four-vear-old son, Tom, to her that he

had seen his cousin (Elsie Walker) drive a car.

.Mrs Bayly stated that on the Saturday before Elsie disappeared, the girl Imd bumped her head on the billiardmom window. “ I looked at her he’d, but there was neither a cut nor a mark. She went about her work as usual. Elsie’s principal companions were .Maoris.” Witness had been asked by her father to take the girl, and give her a better environment. Under cross-examination witness said Elsie was younger Ilian her years, almost ns voung as her son, Tom Bayly, who although seventeen, was lar" too young for love affairs. She had an interview with Detective Biekerdikc when he came to discuss Elsie’s clothes. He brought a pair of drawers, but they were not the ones produced in court. The garments she inspected had no stains on them. Meredith : “You don’t recognise these garments (indicating those sentto the bacteriologist) ? Do you suggest they weren’t Elsie s? Witness: “ Yes.” Mr Meredith: “Do you know they were taken from the body?” Witness: “I don’t think they were hers, although she had two pairs of Fuii silk.” Coroner Hunt: “Did you handle every garment the police got. J ” Witness: “Yes.” Mr Hunt: “Then you sav the drawers shown you hy Detective Biekerdikc were not Elsie’s.” Witness: “Yes.” Mr Meredith: 7 ‘Then you suggest, she procured another pair after leaving Papatnoa. Witness: “Yes.” The Court adjourned till 2.15 p.m. Coroner Hunt (to Dir Bayly): “There is nobody you can suggest who would be likely to cause more light to be thrown on the matter.” Witness; “No,” Mr Hunt: Well, if there is, you let me know, for its very unfortunate foi you and your 'family. I’ll cause any inquiry to be made.” Witness: “Thank you Dir Hunt.”