SENSATIONAL EVIDENCE.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXV, Issue 79, 10 April 1913, Page 7

SENSATIONAL EVIDENCE.

THE DEATH OF WILLIAM HAZLITT. [Pee Pkess Association.] luvercargill, April 8. Some sensational evidence was given at the inquest to-day touching the death of William Hazlett, whose body (with the throat cut) was found on Mataura Island after the recent floods. The identity of the deceasd was established by Ei-nest Howorth, a dentist, who had.in his possession a cast taken of Hazlett's teeth, which were most peculiarly placed. Medical'evidence was given by Dr. Baird, of Wyndham, to the effect that it was possible that the wounds in the throat were self-inflicted. It was also possible, though not probable, that deceased could have closed ami replaced tho knife in his pocket after inflicting tho wound.

Evidence was also given by Samuel Hazlett, brother of the deceased. Witness said he and his brother went to the Mataura river so that his brother could bathe his feet, which were sore. Witness went to sleep, and when he woke up his bro'ther had jumped into the river. Witness jumped in after him, but could not get him out. He noticed his brother's throat was cut. After some days had elapsed witness informed Colin Gerrard of the occurrence and later on went to the Christchurch races. The deceased liad given evidence against Gerrard in a police court prosecution. The witness (Samuel Hazlett) was highly excited and emotional while giving his evidence, and on one occasion had to be forcibly removed from the witness box by Inspector Norwood and Detective Cameron.

Colin Gerrard gave evidence that Samuel Habliee told him of 'his brother's death, but he did not believe the story. Witness bad seen deceased since tho day of the haring of his own case.

Other evidence went to show that deceased was troubled mentally over a threatened prosecution for perjury, and that he had stated that a man was better dead than mixed up in those cases.

The coroner returned a verdict that deceased died of a wound in the throat, self-inflicted while in a state of mental depression.