THE KAKAHI TRAGEDY

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2818, 8 July 1916, Page 10

THE KAKAHI TRAGEDY

EVIDENCE AT THE IXQUEST. By Telegraph—Press Association. Taumarunui, July 7. An inquest was held to-day concerning the deaths of David Jeft'ery and his infant soil Uoidyn JelVery. Hannah Oldham stated, that deceased's wife struggled to her place, calling out. Witness, seeing the woman's condition, asked what was the matter. Mrs. J e fiery replied, "Have did it, and shot all my kids." JelVery objected to his wifo going to dances, and they disagreed over her dancing with a man named James Clark,e, but she said there was uo harm in it. JelYerv was a-man of good character, but quick tempered. The only reason for the deed could be the- wife's name being mixed up with Clarke s in common in the town. George. Oldham deposed that Mrs. Jell'cry was fully dressed, and her head was bandaged when she called i'oi nelp. The intimacy with Clarke was common talk. JelVery had lived in Kakahi for live years. "He was an holiest, sober man,'and fond of his children. Deceased approached witness for the truth concerning Clarke, but witness told him nothing. While being carried on a stretcher to (lie train, Mrs. Jcfl'ory said: "Isn't it dreadful? Have's dead." John Clarey deposed to finding a lelter left ( by deceased on the table in the sitting-room. William Geaney, railway Ranger, said that, Jell'ery was pleasant and-- a good workman. 'He told witness about his wife and Clarke, and asked if lie knew anything. Constable John Mnlicr detailed a statement made by Mrs. Jeffery since the tragedy. The family retired at 10 p.m. She was awakened in the night ill and bleeding from the head. . Sht'T.Ucd her husband, but: there vas no response. She ivn« awake again at daylight, and s.i'v fully the extent, of the tragedy. She dressed, and called the Oldliams. Hn\ husband objected to her "'dancing with Clarke, because of something lie had hoard. They had quarrelled a good deal since the military ball because she danced with Clarke after the committee had requested him to leave the building. The committee had met and askrd Clarke to leave because of the alleged oft'eVice against him. Clarke refused to leave the building, and asked Mrs. JelTery t" dance. She. refused, and lie nersistcd. She did not want to offend iiim, and then consented. This last dance caused 'scmdalous talk, which her husbard he;r<l ; . The inquest was adjourned *ine die to hear the wife's evidence when idle is able lo attend. The victims in Ihe Hospital ere still unconscious, pxcept the wife. Nc further deaths have occnrrcil.