THE SOUTHLAND SHOOTING CASE.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XVI, Issue 5086, 25 July 1895, Page 2

THE SOUTHLAND SHOOTING CASE.

VERDICT or WILFUL MURDER.

B;i Ttlcjiraph.—Press Association, InvekcargiMi, Wednesday,

The inquest on the body of Hugh Stewart, bailiff, fatally shot by John Keown, farmer at Balfour, last Saturday, was held at Riversdalo to-day. The evidence was on the line of tho statement already telegraphed. A man named Homsby, in tho employment of Keown, deposed that when the bailiff was approaching he told Keown that they were coming; that Keown asked where the gun was, and that ho told him, and also went into the house and brought caps to him. Hornsby saw the wliolo affair, but did not protest until J Keown had struck t!he wounded man four times on tho head and body with the gun wielded in both hands. His oxcuse was that being Keown's servant he held that he was bound to obey his orders. It was shown that Keown drank a bottle of whisky on the day of the tragedy. Stewart was left 011 the ground for some time, then takon into a lean-to, laid on straw, and blankets and sacks pat over him. Keown's household then dined, and took no further notice of the injured man, nor sent for medical aid.

A verdict of wilful murder was returned against John Keown, and a rider added expressing the jury's strong disapproval of Hornsby's actionin supplying Keown'sdomands for the gun and caps. The Coroner, Mr Hawkins, S.M„ concurred, saying that Hornsby's sense of right was tho lowest of any man he had overseen. Hornsby at one point refused to do more than answerdirect quostions, but a threat of commitment subdued him. Keown will be brought up at the , Gore Stipendiary Magistrate's Court, on Tuesday.