THE WELLINGTON SHOOTING CASE.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2403, 24 September 1892, Page 4

THE WELLINGTON SHOOTING CASE.

At the inquest at Wellington on Wednesday Harry Smith, seaman, deposed that lie witnessed the shooting. Ho saw Finley with a revolver, and heard someone call to accused, “ You’ve killed him,’' and Finley replied, “ I could kill any amount like him." Witness fainted at the sight of the blood rushing from deceased’s mouth. Constable Johnson detailed the arrest of Finley. The latter said : “It was a put-up job, and the seamen were waiting there to give me a hiding, and a man is not going to be knocked about when ho has a revolver handy.” Finley had also said that owing to the threats of the crew he was afraid to go on board his ship, and had slept on the Wallace B. Flint. Constable llyan, who had charge of the police station on Sunday, deposed that Finley said “ Ishot the man, and I’m sorry I didn’t shoot the whole five of them. What I done I done in self-defence, and I’d do it again tomorrow.” When in the cell Finley said, “ I’m quite ready to swing for it.” Detective Herbert said that when arrested Seel asked if Greenrose was dead. On being informed that he was, Seel remarked, “ That’s the b who laid mo out last night.” W, Peterson, carpenter on the barque W. B. Flint, stated that when Lynch came aboard on Sunday morning, and asked for Seel, he said he wanted to give him a pair of eyes. When they met the mates Finley was knocked down and kicked, and Lynch hit Seel. Ernest Seel deposed that he was a Swede,but an American by naturalisation. He got his thumb broken in the row on Saturday night and a black eye. _ Finley was afraid to go aboard that night, and they slept at a hotel. When they met the men on Sunday morning Lynch struck him twice, with an oath. He staggered and almost stepped on Finley on the ground. When the first two shots were fired he was not aware from whom they came. Finley then tried to shoot Lynch, but the revolver snapped. Witness begged him not to fire, and Finley said that he would give him a start, but would not hurt him. He was not aware that Finley had a revolver until he saw it. He strongly denied urging Finley to shoot. He pursued Lynch to the wharf, and when he saw him going to take up a capstain bar lie called out, “ Fire!” but Fiuley did not fire then. Witness was excited at this time, and might have used the expression attributed to him. Finley gave evidence that the first time Seel knew he had a revolver was when he saw it in witness’ hand on Sunday morning. Seel did not urge him co use it. A number of witnesses deposed that Finley was knocked down and kicked before he fired, and as far as Seel was concerned nothing was brought out to show that he urged Finley to use the revolver before Greenrose received his death wound. The jury returned a verdict of manslaughter against Finley, he having received provocation, but found that there was not sufficient evidence to show that Seel had encouraged Finley to fire before Greenrose’s deaul.