THE TIMARU MURDER

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 29, 29 October 1920, Page 8

THE TIMARU MURDER

SOME FURTHER DETAILS

VERDICT GIVEN AGAINST UNKNOWN

By TclceraDh—Preßi Aißoclation. Timaru, October 28. Clarence E. WagstaiF, who was filiot just before midnight lust night by an unknown man at his parents' residence, was nineteen years of age and a son of Mr. 11. 'Wagstaif, accountant lor Ballantyne and Co. Deceased, with a friend, Clifford Knapp, slept in a hut bohind the house. They were awakened by footsteps outside, and on making investigations saw the crouching figure of a man. They planned to intercept the intruder, thinking his aim was to secure the keys of Ballantyne's premises, usually kept by Mr. Wagtail, senior. The lads carried out their scheme, one taking one side of the house, while his companion took the other. Their quarry was sighted, and a chase resulted. Clarenco WngstafF succceded in getting hold of his man, but the latter broke free, and when racing down the north aide of the house the intruder .turned round and fired three shots point-blank at his pursuer. Young Wagstalf > dropped instantly. Knapp endeavoured to intercept the intruder on the front lawn, but the front fence was cleared at a -bound, and /pursued and pursuer raced into Seaview Terrace, turning into Sefton Street in the direction of Le Cren Street. Having heard his companion cry out, Knapp returned to see what was the matter, leav-' ing off the chase. The police endeavoured to get a statement from the dying boy, but all that he could say was: "We saw a man and chased him, and he turned round and fired at me." The tragedy caused a great sensation in the vicinity.

Evidence at Inquest.

An inquest was held to-night by Mr, Mosley (Coroner).

Henry Wagstaff, father of deceased, stated that his son slept in a hut apart, from' the house. At about 12 p.m. he heard persons running round the house and-the.sound of a scuffle. He heard his 'son calling out, so. went to tho door and, saw a man running towards the front fence. He saw him turn round, take deliberate aim, and fire, he thought three times. The man then jumped over the fence. His son fell after tho shots had been fired. Knapp, who stayed with his son, went through the gate after the man. Witness lifted his son to the path, and going to a neighbour's house telephoned for a doctor And the nolice. A doctor came, attended to the boy, and ordered liini to the hospital, where he died at 12.15 a.m. Witness had not the slightest idea who fired the shots.

' Clifford Vincent Knapp said that whilst undressing he looked out, and saw a man crouching between the side of the house and the fence. He«said to Wagstaff: "There's a man trying to set into the house." Wagstaff got up, and keeping on the grass both went to the front of the. house, where .they 6aw a man at the front door'. When lie saw them, tlhe man returned to the side of the . house. Wagstaff followed him, and witness, went round to the other side to intercept him. When witness eot to the "back of Hie house tho man jumped over a 13w concrete wall, and was followed by deceased. Witness tackled the man, ■ but was pushed aside. Deceased continued the chase, followed by witness. When deceased had reached the corner of the house Witness heard a shot, and then two others in quick succession. The first narrowly grazed witness's head'. Wagstaff staggerid a few - steps arid fell. Witness went after the man. but when he heard the cries of his friend lie gave up the chase and returned. From the rapidity of the firing be concluded that a revolver was used. Dr.' <jibson testified that he found deceased lying on his .back and covered with blood.. Ho asked a constable to take a statement. Witness made a postmortem examination durilig the day, and found a bullet wound an inch below the' left collar-bone, one and a half inches Irom the middle line. The wound would cause dentil inevitably. The Coroner's verdict was that death was caused by a bullet intentionally fired by a person unknown