ELSIE WALKER INQUEST

Hokitika Guardian, 17 January 1929, Page 5

ELSIE WALKER INQUEST

(By Telegraph—Press Association)

AUCKLAND, January 10

At the Walker inquest. Constable .Jackson, ol To Puke, described Ids investigations in the district. Inquiries by witness showed that there was no one missing from the Bayly family on Saturday morning. About .3.10 a telegram was received that the body of a girl had been found at Panmure. lie went by car to set* Bayly without | delay. He went again at 11 o’clock, hut Bayly had gone. Mrs Bayly gave a statement, and on this occasion it was found that one of the members of Hie family, the sou. William, was in Auckland. “ I found out quite a lot from her in the absence <4 Bayly,” continued witness. Witness next communicated with the Hamilton police, and advised them about the key and as to Bill’s absence in Auckland, and also said that lie suspected him. Witness said f lint the father had left for Auckland, and would arrive at Li o’clock that night, lit' suggested they get Bill Bayly at once before the lather arrived, as otherwise they would never find out. anything about fill' case, lie said to tin* police at Hamilton, “lie is a shrewd ninn. is Mr Bayly.” On the Wednesday, when witness saw Mr Bayly he gathered there was something wrong, lie was sitting in a chair between his wife and witness. While a statement was being obtained, Ba.v.ly, stated witness, said to his wife, "Don’t toll him to--much, mother. Leave it to me. I’ve got more brains than you have.” Witness assured Hayly it was quite ail right, and that Airs Bayly was giving the desired statement. When the car was found. Mrs Bayly asked whether she could withdraw the information. Witness funned the impression then that something was wrong. He did not know even thou that the son was missing. The little liny said Elsie could drive a car all right, hut Mr am' Airs Bayly pooh poohed the idea " Leave it to me mother. I’ll Jix it,” stiid Bayly iu referring to the withdrawal of information. lie said he had some influential friends. Air Northcrol't: I take it you are the author of the Bill Bavl.v theory? Mr Hunt: I think this witness is the brightest spot in the box so far. Mr Northcrol't: That is ns 1 expected. That has been your attitude alt through. Witness said that, when the car was found, there seemed to lie no desire on the part of Mr and .Mrs Bayly to proceed further.; " I think we can look upon you a; the originator of the- Bill Bav]> theory.” suggested Air Northcrol't. 'lbis witness denied, hut he admitted that he was the first to got information. Air Northcrol't: This extravagant matter you have given was reported by you to your headquarters?—l submitted reports. M.r Northcrol't: ('oiiversatTons between witness at.td his superiors have been related without polcie reports being produced, “To slander people from the witness box in this manner, and to slop short of letting us see the official documents that contain these fantastic matters, is gross injustice.” Again Air Northcrol't asked il the reports would lie produced. The Coroner: ”1 have no power to produce documents. You can call your clients and got their version, if you like; and then the public can fudge. This poor girl is found dead and 1 want to satisfy her father that this country is going to do all it can to find out how the body got where it was found.” Air North croft: An attempt has been made in the course of the inquiry to see whet her by any chance a charge ill' murder could he made against any individual. Now the inquiry Inis got about as far from the death of Elsie Walker as it is possible to get, but the Coroner has committed the gravest injustice to my clients.” “ What this witness has been permitted and invited to say,” said counsel, “ has been a vehicle ol the gravest slander.” Air .Meredith: This witness has been called by the police, as inquiries have been made from the railway, the post office, and other officials in the district, which indicates, after a most careful combing, that there is no evidence of young Bayly being in the district at the time. In the face ol that, this insult to the police was most improper and ungracious, and should be withdrawn. Mr Northcrol't: William Bayly’s movements on Wednesday were questioned with the greatest particularity iiiul whether or not the headquarters of the police knew that Bayly had formed an intention on Sunday night to go to Henderson on Monday, that 'fact was not known, until it was got from a constable, even by Hayly. The inquiry was adjourned till tomorrow.