A JURY'S VERDICT.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 3114, 13 February 1909, Page 6

A JURY'S VERDICT.

(To the Editor). Sir,—l was surprised to notice in your issue of the 3rd inst. a protest by Mr Jessop against the verdict of the jury touching the death of . the late Harry Thomas. I may say that the gist of the evidence at the inquest was that the deceased received an injury somewhere near his left temple some years ago, and often complained about pains in the back and top of his head. These pains were worse when he had been drinking. At such times he frequently threatened to shoot his family. He had some drink in Pahiatua, and brought some home. At the time of the tragedy a bottle with some beer in it was on the table. This (according to the evidence of Constable Catanach) he had Pahiatua. .The above is the evidence that influenced the jury to add the words "Aggravated by strong drink." There are some facts known by a few that would never have been made public only for your correspondent's challenge, for which he gives ho reasonable ground. During shearing the deceased got in a case of whisky, and at Christmas a hamper so large that the carrier had to get assistance to remove if from the cart. On the morning of the tragedy he left Makuri with one dozen bottles of beer in the gig; of these only four were left when he arrived home. Though, to my idea, this quantity of- liquor is sufficient to derange any ordinary man it may not represent nearly all the liquor consumed by the deceased. lam surprised to notice the attempt made' by some to evade facts ajid cover up the truth. The Acting-Coroner intimated his intention to refuse to accept the jury's verdict, and it was only when Constable Catanach fold him be bad to accept it that' he consented to add tlie .words complained of by your ,correspondent.—l am, etc., ONE OF THE JURY. Waikereru, February 8, 1909.