CHARGED WITH MURDER

Hokitika Guardian, 9 May 1929, Page 6

CHARGED WITH MURDER

J-T.M.S. DIOMEDE OFFICER. MAN KILLED AYITH BOTTLE. (By Telegraph—Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, AEay 8. Jack Stevens, a married man, 11ving apart from his wife, died in the Central Police Station early this morning! from 'head injuries, (which it is alleged, lie ,received in a fracas' a short time before. As the' result of liis death, Eric Matthews, a petty offiedr of the H'.AT.S. Diomede, has been arrested off a charge of murder It appears that the deceased avas sitting eating in a pie stall near the (Post Office in Customhouse Quay at 1.39 a.m., when he had an argument, it is alleged, with Alatthews. There were six men in the pie stall at the time,, and the attendant, Air George Ornie. of 173 Elizabeth Street, was busy serving them. AY bile bis back was turned, the argument between the deceased and another man, which was about a woman, was. (going on, Orme beard a sudden crack, like the breaking of a bottle! On looking around, he saw that a large bottle containing sauce, had been lifted from Itlio counter, and, it iis stated that it was the bottle with .which the deceased was struck on the head. The -deceased then wtent away, as did the other men. A few minutes later jStenens 'returned, 'holding his head, and said, it is alleged: “If 7 die, someone will hear more about 41ns!” He then left the stall. At "about 2 a.m. Detective Kearney came across Stevens, lying unconscious in Post Office Square, and he took him to the Central Police Station. Dr Pattic was hastily summoned, and, although everything possible was done for Stevens he died at about 3 o’clock,, without having regained consciousness.

To-day the Coroner ordered a post mortem to be held, which was conducted by Dr D. P. P. Lynch. Pathologist at the AA r cllington Public Hospital. To-night Detective Kearney arrested Alatthews on the charge of murder.

The Coroner (Air J. S.'Barton) will hold an inquest at 9 o’clock to-mor-row morning.