THE REEFTON MURDER.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2232, 23 April 1881, Page 3

THE REEFTON MURDER.

[PBESS ASSOCIATION TBIESBAM.] GREYMOUTH, April 22. The adjourned inquiry into this case was held at Reefton on Wednesday and Thursday. A number of witnesses were examined, but the greater portion of the evidence was freely corroborative of the facts already published. The accused, M'Gahey, listened to the evidence in a most calm and collected manner, and keenly cross-examined the witnesses upon material points. Dr. Thorpe said that there was no sign of any gunshot wound about the body of the murdered man. In his opinion the wound in the head had been caused by one blow only. Thomas Lecher said that he had worked for Bell for some time, and Mrs M'Gahey was living there. She and Bell were on good terms, though they had a quiet growl sometimes. Often heard her say s> e W 3 afraid of her life of M'Gahey. Be 1 did not appear to be afraid. He said if M'G -aey came there to annoy him he would proseoute bisa. Mrs M'Gahey and Bell did not live together as man and wife, they had separate rooms. When he returned to Bell's on Friday night he told Mrs M'Gahey and Bell about meeting M'Gahey at Gallaghers, but they made no remark at that. Never saw any impropriety between Bell and Mrs M'Gahey while living there. Never observed any clothing of Bell's in M'Gahey's room, but on Sunday he noticed a colored shirt in M'Gahey's room. In reply to M'Qahey witness said he never heard of Bell being kicked by a cow. Never heard Bell say that anyone had a " down " on him but M'Gahey. Bell and Mrs M'Gahey parted on good terms. Alexander King said that M'Gahey stopped at his store on Friday night. He had a loaded gun and was excited. M'Gahey was anxious to go on that night about ten o'clock, but witness prevailed on him to go to bed, and when taking him up-staira M'Gahey said, " My God, King, I must hove revenge." Next morning about six o'clock he saw M'Gahey leave and go towards Boatman's. Had heard M'Gahey speak disrespectfully of Bell and Mrs M'Gahey, but never heard him make use of any threats. M'Gahey gave no reason for wanting to leave that night or so early next day. When accused made use of these expressions he was in liquor, but not drunk. In reply to accused witness said, " When I took you to bed you said you had been accused of an action of which you had not been guilty, and that you would have revonge." That waß when you mado use of the words " I'll have revenge." The splinters produced are like the wood of the gun he carried, but witness oould not swear to them. Frank McLean said he had a drink with M'Gahey, at his invitation, when going down the Buller road. Saw something strange about his face, and asked his trouble. He said he was in trouble about his wife, and that she was in town procuring a warrant for his arrest. He said he was in a great way about his wife and a man named Bell. Asked him why he did not go away from the place altogether. He said he would not for the present, and would have his revenge upon them. Witness cautioned him about such remarks, and said Bell and her were not worth interfering with. He 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 state 'of great excitement. For a second time witness invited accused to come to his place and have a cup of tea, but he declined and said he would go baok to town. That waa the last he saw of aocused, and he eould not say whether he went to Reefton or to the Buller. He had no aweg or gun. He was aober but very excited; Prior to thia he had never heard him make any remarka about hia trouble. Ho was not acquainted with Bell or Mra M'Gahey. In reply to the police in respect to M'Gahey's

threats, witness said that when he cautioned him about talking so, M'Gahey replied that he would do away with himself, or words to that effect. Thomas Penniall—Knew Bell and M'Gahey. Was down the Buller road on the 16th, at ten a.m. 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 ho and Bennett, who was with him at the time, went to Bell's they found the body lying on its left side in the cowshed. There was a mark under the right ear, and a crack at the baok of the head. He picked up pioces of paper, which he took to be the wad of a gun. 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."] Noticed whet was apparently the print of a man's head in the mud and spots of blood about the shed, also where the body had been dragged along the mud inside. Looked about, but s»w no marks of shot or bullet. Found no other traces of the gun but the two small splinters produced. Took no notice of footprints about the shed. Had not seen M'Gahey that day. Michael O'Keef deposed that he saw M'Gahey on Monday night on the road to Antonio's. He said he was in want of a cup of tea.

George Bees stated that M'Gahey came to his house on Monday night and asked for a supper and bed, saying he was very hungry. Witness gave him dry pants and socks, as he was wet, and he had a drink at the bar. Accused gave him three £ 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 waß very hungry. Showed him to bed at 10 p.m. He said he would not get up very early, as he was sleepy. About two o'clock he was arrested, and taken to Reofton. On inquiry where M'Gahey came from he said he had been prospecting, but did not say where. His wet and miserable condition did not create any curiosity iD the mind of witness, because suoh a thing was a common occurrence in that part. At this stage of the proceedings Inspector Emmer'son applied for an adjournment, which was granted.