THE WAIHI TRAGEDY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 1035, 5 December 1912, Page 3

THE WAIHI TRAGEDY.

INQUEST ON EVANS RESUMED. CONSTABLE WADE’S EVIDENCE. Waihi, Dec. 4. The adjourned inquest on Frederick Evans, who met his death as the result of a blow from a policeman’s baton on 12th November, was opened this morning. Mr Selwyn Mays appeared on behalf of the police, and Mr J. R. Lundou for the relatives of Evans.

The evidence of Constable Wade, who was shot by Evans, was taken at the hospital, the constable being propped up in lied. Witness stated that his attention was first directed to the hall by hearing revolver shots. He entered the passage alone, instructing tho«e at the door to remain outside. He saw Evans behind the swingdoors of the library room, with a revolver in his hand. The latter immediately fired ; he thought the shot was intended for him, but he didn’t know where the bullet went. He at once ran through the swing-doors after Evans, who, with three others, decamped • t the rear ot the library. He followed close on the heels of Evans, when the latter half turned his head, swung his arm round and fired direct at him, the intervening distance being about five paces. He closed ou Evans, struck him ou the side of the head with his baton, Evans falling on his face. He had feared Evans would use the revolver again. Witness received the bullet iu the region of the abdomen. He did not see the crowd ill-treat Evans ; they passed on after another man. Witness was then assisted by constables and conveyed to the hospital. In the afternoon, Barfoot, who is out ou bail charged with using firearms, and Waddle, one of the occupants of the hall when the shooting first occurred, were examined. The former declined to answer a number of questions on the ground that he might incriminate himself iu the pending proceedings. Further hearing was adjourned till to-morrow morning.