A Shocking Occurrence.

Hastings Standard, Issue 443, 5 October 1897, Page 3

A Shocking Occurrence.

A MAN KILLED IN HASTINGS. A CHARGE OF MURDER. Something akin to a sensation was caused in town last evening when it became known that a man had been killed in the main street. At about half-past 9 o'clock a party of men were in Caulton's hotel, and as they were drunken and noisy Mr Caulton refused to serve them with drink and ordered them off the premises. As they demurred about leaving the two barmen led ihem to the door and saw them out into the street. Whilst standing on the pavement an altercation ensued between two of the party, Harry Storey, an old man of about 70 years of age, and Thomas McPhail, a cook by occupation and well known in this district. It is alleged that McPhail struck Storey in the face, knocking bun backwards on the pavement, where he lay, and it soon became apparent that the unfortunate man had sustained serious injuries and the police were sent for. Constables Smith andO'P>rien arrived with commendable promptitude, lifted the sufferer up and carried him into Caulton's Hotel. When the constables lifted Storey he was still alive, but be appears to have died whilst he was being carried into the hotel. Dr. Linuey was sent for and arrived within* live minutes, but he pronounced life to be extinct. Deceased receive.] a terrible wound at the ba°e of the skuil, which probably aceount.-for his death. M'Phail gave himself into custody and Constable) Smith placed him under arrest. At the S.M. Court this morning, before Messrs Arnott- and I). M'Leod, J.P.'s, M'Phail was charged with the murder of Story. No evidence was adduced, but the police made a statement to the effect that the accused surrendered himself to the police. r iho charge was adjourned to the 13th inst. The coroner has given orders for a jH'xf utortrH) to be held and the inque-st will take place at the Pacific Hotel at 9 o'clock to-morrow (Wednesday) morning.