THE PRICE INQUEST

Hokitika Guardian, 1 May 1930, Page 5

THE PRICE INQUEST

FURTHER EVIDENCE

(By Telegraph—Per Press Association

PALMERSTON N., May 1. An inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the death of the Palmerston North builder Walter Edwin Price, was continued this morning, before Mr Stout, S.M., coroner. Detective Russell said extensive enquiries failed to reveal ; anyone who would have an enmity to deceased, or was likely to do him harm. l)r Laurenson, of Matamata, had been interviewed by the police and had stated lie attended the deceased following a motor accident in January 1929. Subsequently Price appeared to ue suffering from spinal neurasthenia, which was likely to produce the fits of depression which Price did suffer. It was not improbable that lie. might take his life under such circumstances. Detective Russell produced a simi-

lar statement of injuries from Dr Putman, who, however, said iie observed no marked signs of depression in April 1929.

following an examination of witness by. Mr McGregor (solicitor for the Price family) concerning a, missing sum of money stated to be in the house, the Coroner said there was no evidence u-iat the money had ever been in the house. It was'no use suggesting homicide. The only person who can tell anything is Price and you will hardly get anything from him.

Senior-Detective Quirke said all the inquiries had failed to reveal the gun. John Price the chief witness, son of deceased and a central figure in the proceedings was then called, with the

intimations that questions would subsequently be asked.

Senior Detective Quirke handed to him for private perusal, three letters in his father’s handwriting. ' Co loner to John Price: You have read those letters. IVould you like

diem read out in Court, as we will be orced to do?

John Price: No, sir. Coroner: Perhaps you would like to think over the matter and see if you can not tell us anything more. I his matter can be cleared up in another way. Is it necessary for me to make these letters public? 1 There is a certain amount of suspicion that you know more than you told us/ That is my own impression so far.

John Price: Sir, I know no more. [ did not know what was in those let:ers.

Coroner: Did you know that there had been any quarrel between your father and your mother ? John Price: No, sir.

The Coroner suggested again that witness might think the matter over, otherwise there is no alternative to calling his mother, who, he understood, was not in a fit condition to give evidence, being in a state of collapse. Mr McGregor: She can only whisper. Coroner: We don’t want her to collapse in court.

Mr McGregor: She is anxious to give evidence.

The Coroner: Apparently it is no good asking this boy anything further at present. The only thing is to adjourn again. There is a reference to a gun in one of those letters. This is evidently going to be a painful business for Mrs Price. We shall have to adjourn this until after the Supreme Court session.

Mr McGregor suggested that proceedings be adjourned sine die. Addressing John Price the coroner said : ‘The position is that I will have to call your mother and also recall you afterwards. Perhaps you will think over this matter. Any further light which you may throw on this matter may save your mother from going through this dr deal. I cannot close the inquest at this stage as suggested. Homicide came from you or your mother. It will have to be cleared up.” The inquest was then adjourned sine die.