DEATH OF EVANS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 1040, 17 December 1912, Page 3

DEATH OF EVANS.

JUSTIFIABLE BLOW.

AN UNANIMOUS VERDICT.

Waihi, Dec. 14

The inquiry touching the death ot Evans was concluded yesterday before Mr W. M. Walluutt, coroner.

Several further witnesses were examined.

The coroner, in reviewing the evidence of an exhaustive inquiry, pointed out that the scope of the Coroner’s Court applied only to the manner and cause of death and, unlike a judicial proceeding, had no concern with circumstances apart from these material tacts. He then traversed at length the voluminous evidence adduced, which he said went to show that there had not been a preconcerted plan on the part of the workers to raid the Waihi Miners’ Union Hall on November 12th, but that their action in so doing had followed on the discharge of lethal weapons from within. Although the statements were naturally conflicting the weight of evidence went to show that Constable Wade had, in the execution of his duty, pursued and struck down the deceased, who had previously fired upon him, and was justified in so doing, because he had reason to believe that his own life and that of others was in danger. The coroner then stated the legal position as to justifiable homicide, and after a retirement of 40 minutes a verdict was returned as follows : “That the jury were of unanimous opinion that the deceased, Frederick George Evans, met with his death as the result of a blow from a baton delivered_.by Constable Wade on the morning of November 12th, at the back of the Waihi Miners’ Hall, Waihi, whilst in the execution af his duty, and that he (Constable Wade) was fully justified in striking the deceased down,’’