DEATH OF W. H. SWAINSON.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VIII, Issue 688, 22 July 1914, Page 5

DEATH OF W. H. SWAINSON.

EVIDENCE AT INQUEST BLOW WITH A BOTTLE ARREST OP S. D. C3ILDS The enquiry into the death of Walter Hereward Swainßon, farmer, of Maihiihi, who died suddenly on Tuesday, July 7th, was continued on Monday at Otorohanga, Before Mr J. Boddie, Coroner, and a jury of four. Sergeant Rowell ar.d Constable Robinson represented the police, and Mr C. J. Tunka, of Auckland, watched the enquiry on behalf of Mr S. D. Childg. At the opening of the enquiry, Dr Mcßae, of Te Kuiti, who in conjunction with Dr Leeper, of Otorohanga, made a post-mortem examination, gave evidence aa to the cause of death. He said he found the temporal bone, which was diseased, had been fractured, causing hemorrhage, which formed a clot of blood on the brain. The fracture could have been caused by a blow on the jaw or head. In view of the diseased nature of the bone, little force would be required to cause the fracture. It could be cauaed very simply at any time. In view of possible developments in the case, the enquiry was adjourned at the original sitting until Monday. ;The firßt witness called by the police was S. R. McDonald, land agent, Otorohanga, who gave evidence to the effect that deceased and witness were al witness' office on the evening of June 27th after the football match. When they were at the office door a settler from Maihiihi named Lowe came along and a iked if Swainson had taken his bottle of baer After an interchange of amenities Swainson said it was only a joke, and returned the bottle to Lowe. The two shook hands. Jußt then Childa rushed across the road swearing at Swainson, and struck him on the face with his fist. Swainson returned the blow and knocked Childa across the footpath. There was a tussle, of which Swainson got the better, and Childs got up and ran away. Shortly after as witness, R. Holden, and Swainson were standing talking Childs came running back with a bottle in each hand. Hs struck across Holden's shoulder and hit Swainson on the head with one bottle, while he hit at witness with the other and caught him on the shoulder. Witness hit Childs and knocked him amongst the crowd. Swainsno said, "Good God, what was that? I had an awful crack." Childs was running at Swainaon again when somebody knocked him down. Later Swainson followed Childs to Bowlin'3 stable and punched Childs. Witness aaw nothing more of deceased after this. In cross-examination witness maintained his evidence. William Henry Lowe, a farmer at Maihiihi, gave similar evidence to the previous witness regarding the striking of Swainsno by Childs. Witness went to the stable and saw nothing of ths bottle episode. Subsequently in the stable he saw the scuffle. Neither men were hitting, but Swainson was more than a match for Childs. Witness tried to stop the fight. On the Saturday following the occurrence witness aaw Swainson in front of witness' gate. Swainson apologised for having taken the bottle of beer. In reply to witness deceased said it was true Childs had hit him on the head with a bottle, and that his head was still very sore. William Hoskins, a farmer at Maihiihi, corroborated the previous evidence regarding the first assault by Childs on Swainson in front of McDonald's office, and also in respect to the encounter in the stable. Witness was working for Swainson. On the Monday deceased sent witness a note telling him not to come to work as he was very sick. Witness saw deceased at his office on Monday, and in reply to an enquiry Swainson said his head was very sore as a, result of a hit he got with a bottle from Childs. Witness was workirg with Swainson no Thursday and Friday but deceased could not work properly becausa of his head. He appeared to be very sick. On Sunday Swainson told witness not to go to work for a few days; he was going to take a holiday. On the Monday after the occurrence witness noticed a mark on Swainson's left ja«?. Richard Holden gave evidence aH to being with Swainson when the latter was strjek with a bottle. He did not see the blow but heard the crack. G. Banister gave evidence to the effect that on the night of the occurrence he went to his office about halfpasi; ten and found Swainson lying on his bed. Deceased was in a dazed condition and was unable to undress himself. Wiineas made him comfort ahle with rugs and found bim better in the morning. Witness rode out about three miles with Swainson in the morning and deceased then complained that his head was bad. Evdienco was also given by R. Johnston at whose residence deceased was staying at the time of his death. Mr Tunks addressed the Court on behalf of Childs, and the jury after a short retirement returned the following verdict:—"The jury are of opinon that death was caused by compression of the brain due to a fracture of a diseased temporal bone, such fracture having been caused by injuries received during a street disturbance." CHILDS BEFORE COURT Upon the verdict being delivered, Childa was arested and brought before Mr Boddie, J.P He was charged under section 179 oE the Crimes Act with inflicting injuries which caused the death of W. H. Swainson. On the application of tha police, accused was remanded for a week, bail being allowed, himself in £IOO and two sureties of £75 each. The bail was immediately forthcoming.