WILFUL MURDER.

Taranaki Daily News, 28 June 1922, Page 5

WILFUL MURDER.

THE WILSON INQUEST. MANY SHOTS FIRED. CRIME RECONSTRUCTED, By Telegraph.—Press Assn. —Copyright. London, June 26. The Wilson inquest was held in the Westminster Coroner’s Court. Major Wilson, brother, gave evidence that deceased had received police protection. He did not know when it was withdrawn. The taxi-driver (name withheld) stated that he drove Sir Henry Wilson home. When he reached Eaton Place, Sir Henry walked towards the door. Witness had started to drive off, when he heard a loud bang. He looked round, thinking the noise was a tyre bursting, and saw Sir Henry stepping on the kerb. He saw a man with a revolver in his right hand, standing in the road three yards beyond Sir Henry Wilson. He saw the man fire the second and third shots quickly, and Sir Henry fell face downwards on the pavement. He did not see a second man. He drove off. He did not see Sir Henry Wilson draw his sword. A servant employed at Sir Henry Wilson’s gave evidence. After the shooting she spoke to Sir Henry, who tried to reply but could not. A street laborer stated that Sir Henry Wdlson did not appear to hear the first report. After the second shot he bent down to avoid further shots. Witness saw a big man three yards on iSr Henry’s right side, and a smaller man four yards on the left side. He heard numerous reports, as though both were firing. Sir Henry was shot at several times while standing doubled up in front of the door. Witness then related the chase after the murderers. Mr. Mac Donnell, solicitor of accused, remarked that, on his advice, they were not attending the court to-day. Other evidence was given on the lines of the cabled reports.

A verdict was returned of wilful murder against Connolly and O’Brien, who were committed for trial.

THE VICTIM’S FUNERAL. AT ST. PAUL’S CATHEDRAL. AN IMPOSING CORTEGE. London, June 26. Though shorn of much of its pageantry owing to rain, there was an imposing mili- 1 tary display at • Field-Marshal Wilson’s funeral. The brilliant uniforms of the great military and naval dignitaries were covered by cloaks and mackintoshes. The funeral proceeded from Eaton Place to the Embankment, and thence to St. Paul’s. The route was densely crowded. The cortege was escorted by six battalions I of Guards and eight squadrons of Household Cavalry. It left Sir Henry Wilson’s residence with the muffled drums of the combined bands of the Grenadier, Coldstream, Scots’ and Welsh Guards, which rolled preliminary to the playing of Chopin’s Funeral March. A gun-carriage bore the coffin, draped with the Union Jack and surmounted by Sir Henry’s plumed hat and sword. _ On either side of the gun-carriage were the pall-bearers, who included Field-Mar-shals Grenfell and Methuen, the Earl of Ypres, Earl Haig, Sir William Robertson, Lord Beatty, and Air-Marshal Trenchard. Then followed Sir Henry’s grey charger. , The Duke of Connaught, representing the I King, walked with Marshal Foch, and was followed by representatives of the War Office, Army Council, foreign dignitaries, and the High Commissioners. The body was laid to rest in the crypt of the Cathedral between Earls Roberts and Wolseley. The Cathedral was crowded long before the procession arrived. All the members of the Cabinet were present. The Guards took their position around the entrance to St. Paul’s, standing with arms reversed. The service within was simple and impressive. The musical portion included the 23rd Psalm, Stanford’s anthem “ I ! Heard a Voice from Heaven,” and Gosse’s i “If We Believe Jesus Died.” also hymn “O God, Our Help.” The service was conducted by Canon Alexander, the Bishop of London busting. The congregation remained standing while the ‘Dead March” was played and then the “Last Post” and “Reveille” while the coffin was being lowered. j It was an affecting scene, and women, I even soldiers, wept. After the service Lady Wilson, leaning on Marshal Foch’s arm, left the Cathedral. NO SPECIAL PROTECTION. SYMPATHY' FROM BELFAST. LADY’ WILSON’S THANKS. Received June 27, 9.40 p.m. London, June 26. Marshal Foch’s wreath for Sir Henry Wilson was inscribed: “From his best friend.” Telegrams of condolence were received from the Italian and Slovakian Ministers of War and from the Chief of the Japanese General Staff. Mr. Shortt (Home Secretary), replying to questions in the House of Commons, said it was incorrect to say any order was given for the discontinuance of police protection for Sir Henry Wilson. A special officer was placed at the War Office’s disposal where necessary for the protection of the Chief of the General Staff, and when. Sir Henry Wilson vacated that position ponce protection was discontinued. The executive of the Labor Party adopted a resolution expressing abhorrence at Sir Henry Wilson’s assassination and deploring the policy of violence in Ireland, against which British Labor has always protested. It aiso congratulated Ireland’s workers on the | success achieved at the elections. Lady Wilson has issued the following statement: “I hope in time to thank the thousands of kind friends throughout the world for their sympathy, which I feel around me, but still more to thank them for the wonderful tribute to my beloved husband, who died for the Empire he loved so well.” Sir James Craig and members of the Northern Government attended a memorial service in Belfast Cathedral, held r simultaneously with the St. Paul’s service. Twenty thousand shipyard workers in Belfast ceased work at noon as t a tribute to Sir Henry Wilson. i Mr. Chamberlain, replying to a ques- - tion in the House of Commons, said his I J information regarding the revolvers . | with which Sir Henry Wilson was murs dered led to a supposition that they did - mot form part of the arms handed over a Ito the Provisional Government, but the s’ records were being searched.— Aua.-N.Z. liable AaHh