The Kaiwhara Tragedy

Feilding Star, Volume XI, Issue 12, 13 July 1889, Page 2

The Kaiwhara Tragedy

CASE FOB THE GROWN FINISHED (PER TOUTED PBESS ASSOCIATION.) Wellington, July 11. Constable Carroll reiterated his evidence in the lower court. In answer to Mr Bunny, he said that he could not identify the pieces of paper he picked up and handed to Mr Tasker Could not, of course, actually swear that the paper now in Mr Tasker's possession was the same that he had given him, but he had not doubt it was. Constable Healy repeated bis evidence. Inspector Thompson detailed the steps taken by the police on the days succeeding the murder.. All the paper found near the spot and. in Chemis house was handed to Mr Tasker. July 12. On the Court resuming, the jury said they would like some information as to the clothes worn by prisoner on the night of the murder, and his Honor said they could recall any of the witnesses for this purpose. Detective Benjamin gave evidence as to searching accused's house. He was told by a messenger from Dr Cahill on Saturday morning there had been murder committed with some sharp instrument, but he heard nothing about a pun shot wound. He did not bring the gun away from the house in consequence but went for it next morning. Prisoner said he bad tired at quail with it three days before. By Mr Bunny : Would swear he never heard anything from Dr Cahill at the morgue about a gunshot wound. Inspector Thompson instructed him to pick up all the paper about prisoner's house, and it was given to the Inspector. Put his finger down one barrel and found it was damp. Did not try the other, and could not say why. Was not shewn any quail ins the house either by prisoner or his wife. Had seen plenty of quail about the hills. Prisoner never said the drawer in which the stiletto and revolver were found was kept locked to prevent the children getting at them. Prisoner said the stiletto had not been out of the sheath for six months, not six years. Did not see any dust on the sheath. Prisoner said he had gone straight home on the night of the murder, and never went, out again. Detective Benjamin said he should say from his experience of firearms, the guv might have been fired off any time up to several days before he examined it. Never looked at the paper he obtained. On receiving the message by Constable Carroll from thedoctor at the morgue that death was caused by a sharp weapon, he left at . once and consequently did not get any further message. , Inspector Thompson (recalled) had not received a report \from the Johnsonville constable that a man had buen :e m going up Ngahau auga. Line. In answer to the jury he said prisoner's cc at was searched •' It was of a dark .brown colour. Detective Campbell also gave evidence as to searching the prisoner's house, and. arresting him. William Bowden, half-brother to Mra Hawkings, said there had been a little iIU feeling between witness and deceased, but it was a long, time ago. : By Mr Bunny-^-Had known prisoner for 10 or 14 years before he was marriecL Had found him a quiet respectable man,, and had always respected him. John Tasker, Civil Servant and expert,, produced the parcels of paper received froja the police, which he had gummed together, and identified them as belongingto copies of the Evening Post. He also produced scraps from Dr Cahill. These scraps were different in texture to the: other pieces, as they broke more easily. Witness also produced a chart of the* Evening Post of the 23rd May, showing how the fragments fitted in, particularlywbich corresponded with a copy of & paper found in witness' house. This Day. This morning the witness Bradford wa* " called, and in answer to his Honor, said, the gun was brought to him to examineon the 4th. From appearance of thethe barrel it could not have been: fired off on Friday (the day of murder) The nipple presented a different appearance when he examined it in the Supreme-. Court to what it did in the E.M. Court. ' The Crown Prosecutor handed witness: the gun to examini again when he said "Yes, the white stuff is here now, but on my oath, it was not there when I last gave evidence." ... "> . ..;..' Dr Cahill, re-called, said he 'firat 'saw the dagger on the Saturday night. When the sheath was opened there was nothing to show the blade had been used. Wit ness' supposition was that the blade ;tia£ : not been cleaned by anyone. It would' have required great care to clean the bladewithout removing the yerdegris. Witness inserted it up to the hilt in some of thewounds. This concluded the case for the Crown and Mr Bell began his address to the' jury. He contended the evidence concha 1 , sively showed the mnrderer'B gun was wadded with a piece of paper of May 23 taken from a wound in Hawkings bodyand went on to argue that the coincidence of the paper in the wound fitting th.c ptoer in Chemis house proved the gun was. oaded in that house? ? ™::^*