THE OTAGO TRAGEDY.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XIII, Issue 4178, 29 July 1892, Page 3

THE OTAGO TRAGEDY.

The Inquest The Wife's Uncle Suspected. (r-RESS ASSOCIATION.) Invercakoill, July 28. The inquest on the body of Richard Bell, farmor, of Lorn Gorge, near Winton, who was shot on Monday night while returning from the Farmers' Club, and died threo hours later of hemorrhage from tbo vessels of the face and throat, commenced to-day, but was not concluded,

The gun which was found plunged in tho mud at the scene of the tragedy has not yot hi en traced to the owner, but very definite statements by the deceased to hia wife tend to implicate John McCrao, her uncle, a man of GO, and lessee of the farm adjoining, 801 l lived on good terms with his neighbours, but about h month ago he had a claim inado on hitu for £3 damages, caused by his cow getting at a staok of oats belonging to Mr McCrae. The matter was referred to the arhitration of two neighbours, who assessed the damage at twelve shillings. This Mr McCrae was dissatisfied with, and asked for two practical (armors as assessors, but no action was taken in that direction.

The evidence given up to liio despatch of Hie report does not include that of Bell a wife and daughter, but William Irwin, a neighbour who was roused by the deceased daughter, deposed that iho girl cried in at the window, saying "Eise, William, .fast; Dada is shot by John McCrae at the lower gate." Witness rose and went to Bell immediately. Replying to a question from witness, Bell said "I'm done," and shook hands. He was vomiting blood, teeth and bito of bono at intervals. He did not asK deceased who shot him, because he thought it was the place ot his wife or father, who were present, to do that, Had a conversation after Boll's death with Mrs Bell as to how it came about, Addressing deceased's daughter witness said " Jennie, if what you called in at the window to me is true you will require to be very cautious in what you say, because the policeman will take down everything | you say, and you will w»nt to.tell nothing but the truth. This might be a hanging matter, and you'll want to stick to the truth and nothing but tbo truth," Beforo the daughter had time to reply, Mrs Bell said, " It is true, and too true; Jennie w»b following me close behind, and she could hoar it." She then stated that she said to her husband, "Dear Kichard, who murdered you?" and lie replied, "John " MeCroe shot me off my horse at the lower gate." No arrest has been made up to this ti ru p. The latest news from the locality is lhat the gun found sooms nearly new. It is a muzzle-loader of inferior construction, and the matter's name is Moore, London. The police have not yet been able lo find anyone who sold a similar weapon here.

LATER.

Arrest of MnMrae. Invekoaugill, July 28, John McCrao was arrested to-nigbt for the murder of Eichard Bell, mid brought before the Coroner's Court,. Jfurther evidence was given by Bell's daughter to tbo effect that sbe heard her father say that McOrae shot him. It was arranged to take the deposit tion o! Mrs Bell to-night, and Inspector Hickson then applied for an adjournment for a week,