PRICE INQUEST

Hokitika Guardian, 14 April 1930, Page 5

PRICE INQUEST

WIFE’S VERSION

(By Telegraph—Per Press Association.)

PALMERSTON N., April 12

When the Price tragedy inquest was resumed, Mr G. R. McGregor, counsel appearing for the Price family, entered the box, stating that Mrs Price had authorised him to make a statement as 'follows to the Court:—

“It appears that since deceased’s accident about Christmas, 1928, on certain occasions he has suffered from periods of depression, and on several occasions lie mentioned %o Mrs Price bat he thought of; shooting himself. It is rather difficult to obtain details from Mrs Price, as she is in a state of collapse, but she said that her husband’s only worry appeared to be the state of his health, the result of injuries received, in the accident. Apparently the threats were mostly made some months ago. She also said he always insisted that John Price, the younger boy, must ..not know anything about it, as he apparently wanted to keep everything from him. She said further that until last week she had not realised this would have any connection with the tragedy. ~ It had Always been her husband’s custom to sleep on the floor, but the remark I made to her last Saturday About there being no pillow, convinced her': that he would not he lying on the floor. The Coroner : Have you discussed the matter with John Price? ] Mr McGregor: Immediately; ’ afterwards I saw, John: Prieejvtold hiip what his mother had saidUaud Askedf-him if he could tell anything further, but he still maintained that he knew nothing from shortly after 9 p.m. that night until after 8 a.m. next day. In view of the fact that certain suspicion is attached to John Price, I think it is due to him to state that the matter might have been arranged by a third party. The Coroner: Then in the interests of justice, the third party should come forward and clear the boy, in whose evidence there are so many inconsistencies. •