THE STRIKE FATALITY.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VII, Issue 519, 20 November 1912, Page 5

THE STRIKE FATALITY.

INQUEST ON EVANS. EVIDENCE AS TO SHOOTING. [BY TELEGKAP:!.—I'B.KSS association. .] Waihi, Tuesday. An inquest on the body of Frederick George Evans, the striker who met his death as the result of injuries received in a conflict between federationists and arbitrationists at Waihi on th 9 morning of November 12th, was resumed here to-day before Mr W. M. Wallnutt (coroner) and a jury of twelve Mr Selwyn Mays, who appeared for the Crown Prosecutor on behalf of the police, said it would be proved clearly that this was a case of justifiable homicide. There was nu doubt that Evans died as the result of a blow struck by Constable Wade, but the bluw had been quite necessary in order to prevent Evans from firing again. He hoped that the evidence would result in allaying cruel slanders disseminated in connection with* the incident.

STRIKE PICKET'S STORY. Arthur Doyl?, a striker, stated that on November 9th. with other strikers, including Evans, he was on picket duty at the Union Hall, remaining until 5 a.m. next day. Evans had a revolver in his possession, and said if anyone arresterMiim he would use it. Between 5 and 6 a.m. on Tuesday, Evans came to tbe hall. Witness had been on picket duty there all night. After Evans arrived, other strikers and womenfolk came in also. At 7.35 a.m. witness and four others were standing outside the office of the hall, when labourers on their way to work came along. Witness said "Come inside" to his companions, and they did so. Evans was standing just inside the passage. A revolver was produced, the women got very excited, and witness let them out of the back donr. As he did so he heard a Hhot fired, rushed out from the back of the hall, and took refuge in Dr Craig's house. Witness had a revolver, but did not draw it. TWO REVOLVERS PRESENTED. Henry Lawrence said that when the workers came along there was a disturbance outside the hall. Witness got inside, but could not shut the door. Doyle was standing: inside the door with a revolver levelled. Doyle and Evans were guarding the door. Witness heard two or three revolver shots fired. TWO SHOTS FIRED. Walter Harvey, another worker, who was immediately behind Constable Wade in the chase through the hall after Evans had fired the first shot, said Evans fired two shots,one at witness and one at Wade. In the rush Constable Wade was carried forward, and he brought his baton down on Evans' head. Evan3 dropped, and witness took his revolver. Constable Wade had also collapsed. The crowd Were in a very angry mood, and the police had to keep them back. It constable Wade had not used his baton someone else would very likely have been shot. HEARD THREE SHOTS.

Albert Ernest Ritchie stated that he actually saw Evans fire the first shot. Immediately afterwards he heard a second shot fired, and thought Doyle fired it. A third shot was fired by Doyle before the policeman entered. Mr Selwyn Mays: Doyle's revolver had not been fired. Witness said he was certain that he saw Doyle fire twice. ADJOURNMENT GRANTED. ON FEDERATION'S BEHALF. Waihi, This Day. At the inquest yesterday, W. Hazard, gunmaker, said the marking on the bullet which was extracted from Johnson's leg corresponded with the rifling of Evan's revolver. Before the court adjourned H. E. Holland, a prominent Socialist, applied on behalf of a relative of the deceased, for an adjournment to permit the federation to obtain legal representation and witnesses. It was decided to adjourn till to-day, when police evidence would be taken, and afterwards adjourn for a fortnight, when Constable Wade's evidence will be taken.