MURDER NEAR REEFTON.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3065, 23 April 1881, Page 3

MURDER NEAR REEFTON.

[by telegram]

GrBEYMOTTTH, April 23,

The adjourned inquest was continued on Wednesday and Thursday at Reefton. A number of witnesses were examined, but tho greater portion of their evidence was merely corroborative of the facts already published. Tho accused M'Gahey listened to the evidence in a most calm and collected manner, and keenly cross-examined tho witnesses upon the material points. Dr. Thorpe stated that there was no sign of any gunshot wound about the body of the murdered man. In bis opinion the wound on tbe head had been caused by ono blow only.

Thomas Lcecher stated that he had worked for Bell for some time. Mrs M'Gahey was living there. She and Bell were on good terms, though they had a quiet growl some times. He often heard her say she was afraid of her life of M'Gahey. Bell did not appear to be afraid. He said if M'Gahey came there to annoy him he would prosecute him. Mrs M'Gahey and Bell did not live together as man and wife. They had separate rooms. When witness returned to Bell's on Friday night he told Mrs M'Gahey and Bell about meeting M'Gahey at Gallagher's, but they made no remark at that. Witness never saw any impropriety between Bell and Mrs M'Gahey while he was living there. He never observed any clothing of Bell's in M' Galley's room, but one Sunday he noticed a colored shirt in M'Gahey's room. Alexander King stated that M'Gahey stopped at his house on Friday night. He had a loaded gun and was excited. M'Gahey was anxious to go on that night about 10 o'clock, but witness prevailed on him to go to bed, and when taking him upstairs M'GaI hey said, "By God, King, I must have revenge." Next morning at 6 o'clock he saw M'Gahey leave and go towards Boatman's. Witness had heard M'Gahey speak disrespectfully of Bell and Mrs M'Gahey, but never heard him make use of any threat. M'Gahey gave no reason for wanting to leave that night or so early next day. When accused made use of those expressions he was in liquor, but not drunk. Frank M'Lean stated that he had a di'ink with M'Gahey at his invitation. When going on the Buller-road he saw something strange about M'Gahey's face, and asked him what was his trouble. M'Gahey said ho was in trouble about his wife, and that she was in town procuring a'warrant for his nrrest; he said he was in a great way about his wife and a man named Bell. Witness asked him why he did not go away from the place altogether. M'Gahey said he would not for the present, and would have his revenge. Witness cautioned him about making such remarks, and said thatßelland Mrs M'Gahey were not worth interfering with. M'Gahey said he did not care, and would blow their very brains out before Sunday. Witness again cautioned him about what he was saying, and told him to be very careful, as he was then in a great state of excitement. Witness invited aocused to come to witness's place and have a cup of tea, but he declined, and said he would go back to town. That was the last he saw of the accused, and witness could not say whether he went to Reefton or to the Buller. M'Gahey had no swag or gun; he was sober, but very excited. Prior to this witness had never heard him make any remarks about his troubles. Witness was not acquainted with Bell or Mrs M'Gahey.

Thomas Pinnell stated that he knew Bell and M'Gahey. Witness was down the Buller-road on the 15th instant at 10 a.m. He was three-quarters of a mile from Larry's Creek when he heard the report of a gun and remarked that some one was shooting. When he and Bennett, who was with him at the time, went to Bell's they found the body lying on its side in the cowshed. There was a mark under the right ear and a crack at the back of the head. Witness picked up a piece of paper which he took to be the wad of a gun. He saw Constable O'Brien pick up a paper collar with blood on it. [Previously a witness deposed that Bell did not wear a paper collar.] Witness notised that there was apparently the print of a man's head in the mud and spots of blood about the shed, and also where the body had been dragged along the mud inside. Witness looked about, but saw no marks of shoot or bullet, and found no other traces of the gun but the two small splinters produced. Witness took no notice of footprints about the shed. He had not seen M'Gahey that day.

Michael O'Keefe stated that he saw M'Gahey on Monday night on the road to Antonio's. M'Gahey said ho was in want of a cup of tea.

George Rees stated M'Gahey came to his house on Monday night and asked for a supper and bed, saying he was very hungry. Witness give him dry socks, as he was wet, and he had a drink at the bar. The accused gave witness three £1 notes wrapped in a piece of newspaper, and asked him to separate them, as they were wet, and take payment for three meals, as he was very hungry. Witness showed him to bed at 10 p.m. M'Gahey said he would not get up very early, as he was sleepy. About 2 o'clock M'Gahey was arrested and taken to Reefton. On witness enquiring where M'Gahey came from, he said he had been prospecting, but did not say -where. M'Gahey's wet and miserable condition did not create any curiosity in the mind of witness, because such a thing was a common occurrence in that part. At this stage of the proceedings Inspector Emerson applied for an adjournment, which was granted.