The Balfour Shooting Case.

Manawatu Herald, 27 July 1895, Page 3

The Balfour Shooting Case.

..... *■ — — ♦ „ . The inquest on the body of Hugh Stewart, bailiff, fatally shot by John Keowc, farmer, at Balfour, last Saturday, wag held at Biversdale on WedtMHday. •• • iThft'cividence was on the line of . theaj^feraent previously telegraphed. •\ : A man named Hornsby, in the employment- of Koown, deposed that • when the bailiff, was approaching he told Eeown, who asked where the gun wasyand that he told him, and also went into the house and brought caps to him* Hornsby saw the whole af fair, tmt did not protest until Keown had struck the wounded man four times on the head and body with the gun wielded in both hands. His excuse was that being Keown's servant he held that he was bound to obey his orders. It was shown that Keown drank a bottle of whiskey on the day of the tragedy. Stewart was lift on the ground for some time, then taken into the lean-to, laid on straw, and blankets and sacks put over him. Keown's household then dined, and tookvno further notice of the injured man, nor sent for medical aid, A verdict of wilful murder was returned against. John Keown, and a rider 'added, expressing the jury's strong disapproval of Hornsby 's action in supplying Keown's demands for the gun. and caps. . Tht Coroner, Mr J. Hawkin'a, BM.f concurred, saying that Hornsby's.lense of right was the lowest of any m,a.n_he had ever seen. Hornsby at one point refused to do morerHhan answev direct questions, but a threat of commitment subdued him. .*' • ■■■ Keown will be brought up at the Gore Stipendiary Magistrates Court on Tuesday. — Press Association.