THE MURDER AT LARRY'S CREEK.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3069, 28 April 1881, Page 3

THE MURDER AT LARRY'S CREEK.

(by telegraph.)

Greymotjth, April 28. The adjourned inquest on the body of Bell was resumed on Monday. A number of other witnesses were examined. The following are the principal points of the evidence given which throw any additional light upon the mystery : — >

Albert Bennett stated that when the warrant was taken out against Bell by M'Gahey the latter said he would knock Bell's brains out with a piece of iron if he said anything to him. M'Gahey said that to Bell several times, and witness stepped between them and pushed M'Gahey back, telling him he ought to know better. On the 15th instant, while on his way to Boatman's Creek, M'Gahey said to witness, "If anybody asks you whether you have seen me, say you have not." Witness told him to come no further if he did not wish to be seen. Witness did rfot see M'Gahey since unt.'l meeting him in Court. On the morning of the next day after parting with M'Gahey witness heard the report of a gun, and afterwards saw the body of Bell with a wound on the back of his head and another on the right ear, with his eyes closed, swollen up and discolored. Witness searched the body for shot marks, bnt could find none. It was after M'Gahey spoke of the summons Mrs M'Gahey had taken out against him that he asked witness not to mention his whereabouts. Witness thought M'Gahey's conduct strange.

William Campbell stated that when M'Gahey was telling him his troubles he said, " Campbell, as sure as God is a judge I will shoot the pair of them." Witness told M'Gahey to clear out and have nothing to do with them. Witness told Bell that M'Gahey would shoot him, and mentioned what M'Gahey said to other people. Witness did not hear him make threats at any other time.

John M'Gaffin stated that at M'Gahey's request ho took possession of the hitter's place - M'Gahey said that in consequence of a quarrel with his wife he wa3 going to leave the place. Witness attempted to make peace between them, but failed. He apprehended violence between M'Gahey and Bell, and advised M'Gahey to leave the district, On two or three occasions M'Gahey promised to do so. Witness told him that his wife would be a good riddence, and that

witness would assist him to get work in Christchurch or Dunedin if lie went. M'Gahey said in reply " When I do enter with Bell I shall nob want you or anyone else to bail me." Witness said, " I presume you are going to commit murder, and after this I shall have no more to say to you." Witness also said, " I think you are out of your mind, and ought to be arrested as unfit to be at large." The police had to keep M'Gahey from assaulting Bell when the search warrant was being executed at Bell's. In consequence of what M'Gahey said witness warned Bell, M'Gahey having apparently lost all control over himself. Witness had to go between M'Gahey and Bell several times. M'Gahey on one or two occasions said he would rouse Bell and his wife out of that; that he would not submit to his house being burnt down and he being a wanderer over the face of the earth, whilst they were living together ; and that he would have satisfaction. Witness was surprised when lie heard of the murder, as he thought the desire for revenge had worn off.

John Stuart said he saw M'Gahey's bushmade ramrod picked up near Bell's cowshed, off the mud. The witness described the ramrod minutely, and said he had no hesitation in swearing to it. John Hart stated that the ramrod was found covered up with mud, and was discovered by one of the men treading on one end. Charles Lyon stated that in January last, when talking to M'Gahey, the latter said, "If I could think that Bell and my wife were cohabiting I would blow the pair of them to hell, if I should be hung for it." Witness said, "David, do you mean to say you have not seen the carryings on of these two this while back P" M'Gahey declared to his God that he had nob, but added, " I can see it all now." He also said, when speaking of being hung, that he would smile at them if they were putting the rope round his neck. Witness in reply to the accused said, "I said to-tfohn Bell and Mrs M'Gahey on the day of the inquiry into the fire at M'Gahey's house, when they were both sitting on a log together, that if they thought they could stop in peace and comfort they were mistaken, and if M'Gahey came back God help them; that M'Gahey would travel on his hands and knees from the other side of the island to have revenge if he knew the way his wife and Bell were carrying on. When M'Gahey was shoeing a horse for witness he wanted some more nails, and asked witness to go into the house for them. Witness popped rather quickly into the kitchen, and as witness did so M'Gahey's wife rose as it were off Bell's knee at a seat at the fire. ' Witness told M'Gahey this on the day witness went to fetch the things for the* police from Bell's place. Patrick Gunn stated that after arresting M'Gahey he told him to be cautious about making any remarks that might be used against him. M'Gahey replied that he should have been cautioned in the.first instance. M'Gahey appeared a little frightened when arrested. . ,

Alexander H. King,.stated s that Mrs M.Gahey was excited oh Saturday morning when she came to Gallagher's, and asked if witness thought M'Gahey would waylay her on the road. Witness replied that she need not apprehend anything of the kind. Alfred Silcock stated that when the ramrod was picked up Smirk took it out Of his hand and said, "That's Yankee Dave's (meaning M'Gahey's) ramrod."

The jury, after retiring for. upwards of two hours, found " That John Bell met his death on April 16th, 1881, at Larry's Creek, having been killed by, a blow on the back, of the head, and that the blow was struck by David Charles M'Gahey. The verdict was the verdict of 13 of the jujy. G. W. Brown, R. J. Scoltock, and Adam Ross did not concur in the verdict.

M'Gahey was remanded till Monday next, when he will be charged before a Magistrate with the murder of John Bell. :