Charge Reduced.

Hokitika Guardian, 8 September 1922, Page 4

Charge Reduced.

DETAILS OF THE AIEAIR. [l>Y TELEGRAPH PER PItESS ASSOCIATION] ASHBURTON, Sept. 7. After hearing tlie evidence called by ("ho police in the case ill which Samuel Holland was charged with the murder of James Gill on the night of August 2(ith, Magistrate K. M. Mosley reduced the charge to man slaughter and committed the accused for trial at Christchurch.

The case was of a simple nature. Tho evidence of medical witnesses, who held tlm post-mortem, was that death was caused by cerebral hat inorrliage, presumably caused by violence. Tbe only marks of violence on the body were three contusions on the left temple and an abrasion on tbe cheek bone; also a small cut in the outer corner of the lelt eye. I lie. haemorrhage from the brain was greatest on the left side. The skull was not fractured. The lungs wire in a state of chronic congestion, and the heart showed signs" of s chronic periarthritis, and certain valves were not healthy. Haemorrhage could have been caused by a blow, or a fall, or both. One medical witness expressed the opinion that deceased was subject to chronic alcoholism. Thomas William Hart, licensee of tbe Chortsey Hotel, gave evidence as to the affair in tbe hotel. He said deceased made a remark about tlie death of Micliai’l Oollins. lVsiiltling in a disturbance between Hill and the at* cused. Both men were sober, but tlr<ceased was looking for light. Accused and deceased actually came to grips, but eventually deceased was got out of the hotel.

Other witnesses stated deceased was very quarrelsome and that when he was put out of the hotel, he said: “Here’s good luck to the men who shot Wilson too.” Accused had remonstrated with deceased concerning bis remarks: “Here’s luck to the mail •who shot Michael Collins.” Evidence was given by the doorkeeper at a dance that at 8.45 oil the night of August 29th, accused asked admitted to the dance, but witness refused because he considered bo was not in a fit state. Another witness, who was responsible tor tbe dance, stated that accused was not sober. Thm< was a certain amount of contlict in tho evidence of witnesses who were outside the dance ball, but it appears that deceased rode up to tbe ball on a horse, and, dismounting, remarked that .bis horse was fond of music. He left the horse in the road and started to walk towards the door, sitming a line <>l a song. Accused then stepped out and bit deceased, who foil, striking a window sill. When be got' up he asked: “Where is the who hit me?” He walked to tbe door of tbe ball again, saying: “CiHne out, you Orange ——— A(: ; then bit him a second blow and deceased fell and did not subsequently move. Accused left the scene after the second blow bad been struck. Tho constable at Smithwork. who arrested tbe accused, said that Holland admitted be was at the dance ball, but denied any knowlcge of an altarcation and said he did not know the deceased. . Tim Coroner, in bis verdict, said be was satisfied, from the evidence, that (Jill was outside the hall on the night of August 2()tli. Dentil, in his opinion, was due to cerebral haemorrhage caused by blows inflicted by Samuel Holland. Accused pleaded not guilty and was coni in fvs stated. Bail i\as allowed as before, a total sum of £HI9O.