Police Inquiry Closes

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 604, 5 March 1929, Page 1

Police Inquiry Closes

SHORT AFTERNOON SESSION No Addresses From Counsel L\ idence in the Police Inquiry concluded shortly before noon to-day, when Inspector Eccles, of Hamilton, and Detective-Sergeant Bickerdike were examined. The inquiry concluded after a Brief session of a few minutes this afternoon, counsel deciding not to address the commission.

Inppec tor Eccles, of Hamilton (Mr. j A. H. Johnstone) and Detective-Ser- | peant Bickerdike are the only wit- j nesses now to be heard. At the conelusion of their examination the various counsel appearing at the inquiry will address the Commissioner, Mr. E. Page, S.M., of Wellington. It is expected that the inquiry will conclude to-morrow. Before proceedings commenced this morning Mr. V. R. Meredith, Crown Prosecutor, again referred to the communication published in the Press last week regarding the conduct of the inquest on Elsie Walker when application was made by the representatives ot* the Bayly family to have the scope of the inquiry widened. In that letter allegations were made against the manner in which the evidence was directed, said Mr. Meredith, and he wished for an opportunity to make a statement. NOT WITHIN ITS SCOPE Mr. Page said he had given the question considerable thought and . was of opinion that proceedings at the coroner's inquest did not come within the scope of the inquiry. Evidence as to his share of the inquiry was given by Detective-Sergeant Bickerdike. He said he had interviewed approximately 600 people since taking over the inquiry. In reply to Mr. Currie witness said he interviewed Elsie Walkers’ father. He knew of no motive for the girl’s departure from her uncle’s house. Mr. Currie: It is understood that Miss Anne Walker was more closely in the confidence of the dead gir! than anyone else. Why was she not interviewed on this question? Witness: It would have meant a 70-mile ride on horseback for the girl to come in. Mr. Currie: Or a 70-mile ride for a detective. Witness: 1 would have gone if I thought it of any use. To Mr. Moody: The girl’s father told

him that she was going home at Christmas for good. The aunt told witness that she thought the girl was dissatisfied. He had been a detective for about 13 years. He knew of nothing which could have been done and had been neglected. CONFLICT OF EVIDENCE Inspector W. Eccles, in charge of the Hamilton police district, said there was an understanding, but no arrangement, that the Auckland station should handle the case. lie forwarded a number of replies to in quiries on to the Auckland office. He considered them urgent and always forwarded them straight on to Auckland without considering them. Witness was not aware that a discrepancy occurred in the message sent by Constable Jackson and that received in Auckland. Mr. Currie: Did you not see the j newspaper reports of the evidence? Witness: I do not take any notice of newspaper reports. Mr- Currie: If you saw in a newspaper report a suggestion of some impropriety on the part of a constable would you not go into the matter? Witness: I should make inquiries. To Mr. Leary: He subscribed to the -belief that an officer who formed a theory before approaching an inquiry could not do so with an open mind. Mr. A. H. Johnstone: Each police district is not exactly a watertight compartment? Inspector Eccles: No. There is whole-hearted co-operation. The evidence of Constable Riley, of Ellerslie, regarding the finding of the handkerchief, concluded the evidence. Mr. Pago said that as he would be formulating his decision on questions of fact he did not desire that counsel should address him. However, if they wanted to do so he would not prevent them. Those who wanted to do so he would hear at 2.15 p m. Mr. Page also said that he intended paying a visit to the locality where the girl was found, with the witness Carter, who was unable to be present on the last occasion, at 5 o’clock this afternoon.