THE MALONE CASE.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1650, 17 January 1913, Page 6

THE MALONE CASE.

,' "DONE TO DEATH." '.'.' HAVE THE POLICE A CLUE. When the coroner's inquiry into the death of Michael Malone-at the Terrace Gaol was clojed on January i, it was naturally felt that tho salient featuro. of tho case had not been' met by the evidence, now Malone sustained a' fatal fracture of tho skull was not explained. Few, however, expected to hear of tho strange caso again. However (chiefly owing to- a Wellington detective), tho matter has now taken a hew turn. •

Briefly, it seems hidro likely than ever that Malone was "dbno 'to death," as Dr. Kington; Fyffe stated at the inquest. . ...'"' '... ■.. Michael Malone, .'who, as far. as, is known, was a native of Victoria', died in tho Terrace Gaol on January 2.' On Decomber 30 he was arrested for drunkenness, arid at 7 o'clock'. on. the following morning he was bailed'out'. He' showed signs 'of injury 'then, and, when he, was arrested again later in the samo day, it was still more apparent that ho had been injured. , A somewhat' remarkable 'supposition was entertained by the police and gaol authorities that": tfie.case was possibly one of delirium tremens. . The inquest was: opened'on and Dr. Fyffe. then" stated '.in,, evidence that, the cause of death was-compression of the'brain following on haemorrhage, 'due .to fracture of tho right parietal bono and, rupturo of the middle mcnigeal.' »r----tery. "My honest opinion,", added: Dr. I'yffe, "is that.that' man was done to death."/' Dr. Fyffo maintained that',deceased's condition was not consistent with that of : ,a man who had been .injured throhgkrblling about when he was drunk. Deceased was marked iii 'twelve or thirteen;, Iplaoes, and these;:-taken, together, werovery,serious. /.;/ ■'/'-.'. '.;;: ',v ■ .

Quite'; recently one ..of; the", detective force,, in the- course of .ordinary..duty, noticed a man attired in garmerits.'w;hich did'riot fit hirn well. It occuri-ed to, tho detective that.if this particular.man was wearing a' suit which,was so., ill-fitting, it "might be interesting,to 'ascert'aip.'. how hecamoby.it/',.' .V: ''■,;/:■'.l - /..

He questioned'the.mati,'-and was not satisfied with ..tho answer. He looked for the tag on. tho coat to ascertain the maker,'but tno tag had. 'been. torn,, off. However, by further .investigation,", lie fonrid that- the suit had.beflri madejby a tailor in Taumarunui. ■ ■". ,'/-,';r!\

' The.-Stfit'was"'.sent'' to its maker with' a request from the Police Department; to know',whp_.-it had, been madn-for.■ > The fthswercam'e back that' it'Jiad fenniade for "a man "anied ."Halorie"" N" doubt, is "Ow ascertained by ■ tho police l 'that Michael Malone was that'man.'.-Malone had been working uoTaumaninui way. .An/there'the present, the police naturally being de'sirous'-not to say., more just now. .'.'■','.- ..,:■',.,'