Women Restive Over Elsie Walker Case

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 795, 16 October 1929, Page 1

Women Restive Over Elsie Walker Case

“REOPEN INQUEST” PUBLIC PETITION PLANNED “There is a good deal of feeling and unrest among many women of this city about the Elsie Walker case,” said Miss B. Carnachan, president of the Auckland Branch of the National Council of Women, in telling THE SUN this morning that the branch was making determined efforts to have the inquest reopened. A public petition is being organised. jI.TISS CARNACHAN said her branch had written to the Minister of Justice, the Hon. T. M. Wilford, on October 7, asking him to introduce legislation this session to amend the Coroners’ Act so that the inquest could be reopened. Mr. Wilford replied: “I have to advise you that this matter has been given the fullest consideration, and it is not proposed to introduce legislation to amend the Act in the direction suggested.” In view of the Minister’s reply, said Miss Carnachan, the branch was now making a last effort to have the desired legislation enacted. In the interests of justice there was strong feeling that the case would be ventilated anew.

“We are promoting a public petition to be circulated in Auckland and the suburbs,” said Miss Carnachan. “The council has 40 affiliated societies who are expected to co-operate in securing signatures. A start will probably be made on Friday.” Although only Auckland will be canvassed the purpose is to endeavour to have legislation placed on the Statute Book which will benefit the whole Dominion. The council desires a law based on the practice in England. There, said Miss Carnachan, an inquest could be reopened if fresh evidence were brought forward. The council was working in cooperation with the Society for the Protection of Women and Children, and a speaker would be supplied for the public meeting to be held in the concert chamber of the Town Hall on Monday evening.