FATAL HOTEL AFFRAY.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 859, 4 July 1910, Page 5

FATAL HOTEL AFFRAY.

—. VINQUIRY BEGUN. SINGULAR CAUSE OF DEATH. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) Auckland, July 3. An inquiry was commenced yesterday before the coroner into the circumstances connected with tho death of John Mason Price. Sub-Inspector Hendry asked that only evidence as to identification be taken and ■tho further inquiry adjourned. Tho icoroner agreed to that course. Charles Grant, manager of the Sailors' Home, deposed that he identified deceased as John Price. Price had told him that ihe was mairied. Witness bad heard that deceased's wife was living at Wagham, England. Other evidence of identification having teen given the inquiry was adjourned. It has transpired that the cause of death was not a broken neck, as was at first supposed, but a much more singular tiling. As a matter of fact, a tiny flake was broken off Ihe bone protecting an artery, and tho flake of bono was forced in so that it severed the artery, and thereby caused the 'man's death. CHARGE OF MTJRDEE, Auckland, July 2. At 1 o'clock this morning the police arrested a man named Charles Tucker in connection with the affray in the Wailemata Hotel which resulted in the death of John Mason Price. Tucker, when arrested, was about to enter his residence in a side street off Newton ftoad. Tucker appeared in the Police Court later charged with murder. He pleaded not guilty, and was remanded for eight days.

ACCUSED MAN'S STATEMENT. Auckland, July 3. Charles Tucker, who is charged with the murder of John Price at the Waitemata Hotel is about Oft. lin. in height, loosely but very powerfully built, and from 11 to lost, in weight. Ho is 29 years of age, is well known on tho wharves, and is called by his workmates by tho name "Mark." Ho was born at Gisborne. The other man, who, it is alleged, was with the man who struck Price, is named Hurley, and is called by his companions "Paddy." He resides in Newton. The accused man does not deny that ho and Price had exchanged blows. His 6tory is that ho was in the Waitemata Hotel for a considerable portion of the day, having occasional drinks in company with Hurley. He first noticed Prico a little after 5 o'clock, and was in conversation with Hurley- when fighting began, and Price struck Hurley a blow which appeared to stagger him. It was then that ;he interfered. He pushed Hurley out of tho way, told Price to fight somebody nearer a match for him, and then he and Price exchanged blows. He hit Price twice, but did not see him fall. Hurley was anxious to resume his interrupted battle, and ho (Tucker) had to use some force to persuade him to leave the bar. They both left at once, and he knew nothing about what had happened to Price, having left before the confusion and consternation created by tho affair had developed. He states that to did not see Price fall.