Inquest at Manutahi.

Patea Mail, 26 April 1882, Page 3

Inquest at Manutahi.

VERDICT OF WILFUL MURDER,

An inquest extending over two days was opened at Manutahi on Monday, before Dr Gibbes, coroner, and a fury- A Maori named Haka, from Mokoia pah, bad been engaged with others in a row and attack on the Manutahi hotel and its occupants, caused by Mr Gallagher refusing to supply liquor after the party ' became rowdy. During the row, one Maori was struck on the head with a rack-stick by the publican, and the same Maori was found dead next morning near Manawapou bridge. The Maoris alleged that the blow had caused death —that he lay down and died on the road home. The other theory was that, being partly drunk and excited, he had fallen from his horse in the darkness, and his head -fell on a stone in the gutter, causing death. Mr Hamerton, solicitor from' Patea, appeared on behalf of Gallagher, and brought out various contradictions.in the evidence given by Maoris, and by one or two pakehas. W. Gallagher, proprietor of the hotel, described the row which took place on the afternoon of the 18th, the particulars having been already published. He said the Maoris took advantage of Constable M’Pheehy being away ; that when he‘is on duty they are very quiet, being afraid of him. After turning the Maoris out of the hotel, they tried to force an entrance at the back, and one Maori had a stick. Witness did hit one Maori with a'stick, but did not know what part he struck. _ Eneas Gallagher, cousin of the proprietor, also described the row, and said -he saw one native holding Mr Gallagher by the whisker, behind the bar. Helped to put the Maoris out. They then tried to force in at the back. Mr Gallagher stood inside the yard railing, and, said if any one came in he would strike them with the stick he held. He did hit a native with it, on the side of the : head. The native, did not fall, but leaned against the gate. A few Europeans were standing behind Mr Gallagher, looking on. T. Mullen, G. Gano, Baker, and others were looking on. ; , T. Johnson, laborer, Hawera, saw the publican strike one Maori at the back of the hotel. Identified the stick produced ns the one used. Did not know what part of the Maori he hit. The native who was hit told witness afterwards that'the blow hurt him very much. Hacl since,:seen a body exhumed, and identified it as the Maori who was struck.’ • James Parkes, laborer, said that Gallagher first pushed the native back with the stick, but as he insisted , on crushing into the yard, Gallagher hit him on the head. The stick was three feet long, and inches thick. "Charles E. Days, Manaia, timber merchant, saw Gallagher warn the Maoris not to force into the yard, and he hit one Maori on the head with a stick. Martin M’Mahon, settlor, Hawera, spoke to finding a Maori'body on theroad,;tho morning following the row. Saw, boulder stones at the spot where the body lay. George W. Gane, farmer, Wbakaraara, said he helped to stop the scrimmage in front of the hotel. At the back of the hotel, after that, saw the publican drop a stick across.the head of _ : 9ne.- Maori, w T ho then leaned over but did not fall, The blow was not very severe. The native said it hurt him. 1 :

After other evidence, two natives gave a highly-colored version of .the. row; and the blow, and finding the body. Dr John Smith, Hawera, deposed to examining the deceased’s head after the body wrs exhumed. Found a large "puffy swelling on the back of the head, with a feeling of depression in the . centre. Blood was oozing from- the mouth and nostrils. Removing' the skull-cap lie found la large clot of blood, but no fracture of the skull. A stick would-cause the injury, and he believed,death resulted from pressure of the blood. Cross-examined; Death ' might fesult from falling off a horse and striking a stone; but he did not think that was ■ sojn this case. . . ,-ti . . .

After other evidence, the inquiry extendidg over two days,.(lie jury returned, the following verdict “ That deceased's death was caused from a blow administered to him by William Gallagher, the said William Gallagher having provocation.” ; V

Mr Hamerton was not allowed to address the jury on behalf of Gallagher. W. - Gallagher was then committed for trial at the Supreme Court, the verdict being equivalent to “ wilful murder.” . _ : Robert Whittens, storekeeper, Mahiitahi, and John Brennan, publican, Wanganui, became sureties at £250; for Gallagher’s appearance at New PJymouth on Monday next. ,