THE WAIHI STRIKE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 178, 14 December 1912, Page 5

THE WAIHI STRIKE.

THE INQUEST ON EVANS

By Telegraph — Press Association. Waihi, Last Night.

The enquiry into the circumstances in connection with the death of Evans as the result of injuries received on the occasion of the disturbances at the Wailii Miners' Union Hall on November 12 was resumed to-day, before Mr. Wallnutt, coroner. Mr. J. R. Lundon appeared for the relatives of the deceased, and Mr. Selwyn Mays on behalf of the Crown. A number of witnesses were recalled and cross-examined by Mr. Lundon. Walter Edmund Harvey, under crossexamination, denied having a revolver in )iis possession at Karangahake on November 10, and at Waihi on November tt.

Ernest E. Canham, president of the Auckland Waterside Workers' Union, deposed to having attended the post mortem examination of the body of Evans by Drs. Savage and Bull, on the evening of November 15. There was no sign of a blow on the back of the head, bur, what was left of the left ear was crushed into the skull. From the left ear round to the right brow there was one continuous bruise, evidently caused by the one blow. There were six to eight abrasions on the lower part of the face, and the nose was dislocated.

At this stage Mr. Lundon was proceeding to question witness concerning a conversation said to have taken place with Harvey during the luncheon adjournment, in the course of which the latter was alleged to have stated that he had a revolver in his possession at Karangahake on November 10, when Mr. Mays objected, contending that the conversation was confidential.

Mr. Lundon recalled Harvey, who denied having informed the previous witness or a man named Lark that he had had a revolver in his possession on the date mentioned. The examination of Canham was then resumed, and he stated that Harvey had, in conversation, mentioned that he (Harvey) had a revolver at Karangahake on November 10, but if he acknowledged its possession he would be put up for perjury. Continuing, under cross-examina-tion, Canham said that he had already deposed that there was no signs of injury on the back or top of the head.

■Mr. Mays: Did you examine the inside of the scalp after it had been turned hack. Witness: No. Did you examine the outside of the skull after the scalp was removed? Witness 1 : No.

Did you examine the dura mater (that is the inner lining of the skull) to see the blood films? Witness: No.

Mr. Mays: Then why have you the temerity to come here and say that there were no signs of injury to the top and back of the head? Witness: I stood aside and watched' what the doctors did, but I didn't ex-, amine the scalp or skull, and didn't do any of the "butchery work."