NED SKIPPER'S DEATH.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 126, 18 November 1911, Page 7

NED SKIPPER'S DEATH.

THE INQUEST. An inquest was held at the courthouse yesterday before Mr. H. S. Fitzherbert, -\M., Coroner, concerning the death of ihe nati7e Eruera Kipa, otherwise Hui■na.' commonly known as Ned Skipper, •a io>e body was found hanging from a ti- •• on Thursday afternoon. h •■•'.v:rt Claude Bishop, a lad employed by Mr. Arthur Locke on his farm at Smart read, deposed to finding the body in company with a lad named Syd Style. He identified the body by a cardigan jacket lying alongside. William Joseph Ingley, a farmer living at Smart road, gave evidence that on Sunday, October 8, deceased, in the' course of a conversation, told him that 1» felt worried. In reply to a question, he said that in consequence of his wife's will another native had an interest in the farm that he (Skipper) then occupied and that this native, whose name witness understood was Tonga, had threatened to turn him out of the place. Witness could not say if his fears were ■Well founded. He said that if he were forced to leave he did not know where he would go. On a later date he asked witness what it would cost him for being found on licensed premises and whether they would imprison him. Witness told him he thought they would probably fine him £l, but would not imprison him. At ten minutes past four on the morning of Thursday, October 12, witness got up, and after having something to eat went out and caught his mare. He then saw Skipper standing at the junction of Smart road and the road leading to his house, about three and a half chains from where witness was standing. He recognised deceased from his characteristic attitude and from his carrying a walking stick. Witness whistled to attract his attention, but he took no notice. Witness expected that he would overtake Skipper if he were going down Smart road. That was the last occasion on which he saw him alive. Arthur William Locke, a farmer residing at Smart road, deposed that he occupied a farm adjoining that of the deceased Edward Skipper, whom he knew very well, and he identified the ' body now at his late residence as that oi Skipper. On Monday, October 9, he came and asked witness where his gun was, as lie wanted to borrow it to shoot quail. Witness told him he would put it in the corner of the harness shed, •where he could find it if he wanted it. The gun was taken from there, but witness did not know by whom or when, except that he missed it about four or five days after. He was with the party the previous day that cut the body down and brought it out of the bush, and he identified the gun found close to the body as his. When the gun was found it was empty. On Wednesday, October 11, witness said that Tonga visited Skipper and that they had a big talk over the farm, and Skipper said that Tonga ,was coming to build a house! straight in front of his. He seemed dis-| pleased about it, thinking that they l would not agree. Skipper gave witness! to understand that the property did not belong to.him and that he would have to' clear out. That was worrying him. He I •eemed also worried about the prosecu-l tion pending for his being found in the Breakwater Hotel. |

Constable Boultoji, stationed at Fitzroy, deposed that lie last saw Skipper alive about a quarter to one on the morning of October 12 at the Fitzroy Hall at a dance. Witness was talking to him, and they were discussing the prosecution pending against him. Witness told him the matter was not a very serious one, and he said he did not want the summons interpreted into Maori as it would save expense. He did not seem very much worried about it and seemed in good spirits.

Senior-Sergeant Dart deposed that he I knew the deceased, against whom there! was a prosecution pending f or being! found on a Sunday on licensed premises.' He was reported to the police as missing on Thursday, Octoberl2, and since then I a very careful search had been made on I numerous occasions in the Smart road locality. Inquiries had also been made in other parts of the Dominion. Witness went on Thursday with Constables Boulton and Egan to the hush on Mr. Arthur Locke's farm. The bush bad been previously searched by a party .of seven or eight, but the portion ill which the body was found was much secluded among a thick growth of bush, and it would be very easy to miss it unless one came actually on the bodv. Thev found deceased hanging from'a stout branch of a tree by the neck, the lower portion of the body being on the ground. He was hanging by an ordinary plough line and the portion of the line"not used] was carefully coiled up and laid on the! branch over his head. His cap was also! lying beside him. His boots and cardigan jacket had been taken off and were found lying close to the body. The i;un mentioned was also found close to "the body. Jt was empty, and in his pocket was found one cartridge. A piece of string was found attached to one of the triggers. The body ,was removed to his place of residence. He appeared to have been dend about five or six weeks.

A verdict was returned that deceased came to his death oil or about October 12, 1011, by reason of his having hanged himself by the neck .from a tree on the, property of Arthur William Locke.