INQUEST ON CHARLES MABEY.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXIX, Issue 8318, 24 December 1906, Page 5

INQUEST ON CHARLES MABEY.

An inquest was held, before Mr W. P. James, S.M., in the Masterton Courthouse, on Saturday morning, touching the death of Charles Mabey, who died in the Hospital on Friday afternoon. The following jury was empanelled—Messrs Eli Smith (foreman), W. E. Cullen, George Phillips, H. E. Nicholls, E. Buckthought, and D. Wilton. Mr C. A. Pownall watched the proceedings on behalf of Mahiana Ropoana, whom, it is alleged, assaulted the deceased. Edward McEwen stated that he had known the deceased since 1874, and the body lying in the Hospital as that of Mabey. The deceased came to witness' shop last Saturday afternoon. After changing his boots and socks, the deceased walked out of the shop, and stood against a fence behind Mr Murray's shop. Witness then saw the Maori, Ropoana, come along. What passed between the two' men witness could not say, but about 5.15 p.m. heard a blow struck and somebody fall in the right-of-way. Witness and his employee went out, and saw Mabey lying on his back." Witness informed a policemon of the affair and pointed out the Maori to him. Ropoana, when asked by the constable what he had done to Mabey, said that he did not hit him, but only pushed him. Elizabeth Morrison, Matron of the Masterton Hospital, stated that about 6 p.m. on the 15th inst. ,the deceased was admitted to the Hospital quite unconscious. He was conscious enough next morning to give his name. The deceased was attended by Dr Ross. Mabey died shortly before 6 p.m. on Friday. At this stage the Coroner suggested that a post-mortem examination should be held by two doctors, and for this purpose the proceedings were adjourned until to-day at 10 a.m.