MURDER AT WELLINGTON

Waikato Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 2636, 4 June 1889, Page 2

MURDER AT WELLINGTON

lUV TELEGRAPH,— PUKB3 ASSOCIATION'.! Wellington, Saturday. Mil Thos. Hawkins, a well-known settler, who lived in the Upper Kaiwarra, a few miles from Wellington, left town at o o'clock last night, and was found about 8 o'clock Iving dead on the branch road which leads to his farm. The body was lying at full length, and bore marks of violence on the neck, and his vest was considerably torn. Dr. Cahill, who examined the body, says death resulted from hemorrhage of the jugular, but he declines to express the opinion how the wo-.nds were caused until he makes a post mortem examin ition. This morning two wound-s were found on the neck. Hawkins was a man much re-pic ted in town. From the nature of the wounds, it is evident tlut the poor fellow was fired at twice, and life finally extinguished oy the blows of a knifo. Portions of the vest and coat, blown away as by tho discharge of a gun, were found on the road some distanco from the body, and stones maiked with blood lay about in various places, Amongst Hawkins' neighbours is an Italian, who has been heard, so it is alleged, to utter threats against hiid in consequence of some litigation in which they werj engaged. His house was searched, and a bone-handled dagger with a double edged blade about six inches in length found, A shot flask was also obtained. The dagger, however, bore no signs of blood, and the shot in the flask were not of the same size as those in the body. No clothes were discovered at all blood-stained, and none had been recently washed. In the search of the Italian's house a double-barrelled shot gun was found, and a double set of tracks leading from his house to the road where tho crime was committed were discovered. Hawkins had his life insured for £300. The Inquest. Wellington, Monday. At the inquest on the body of Thomas Hawkins, his wife gave evidence to the effect that about two months ago he declared when he came home that he was much put out because Louis Chemis, the man who worked on the road, had sworn at him, and said he would have him yet. There was a law-suit pending in respect of a tifty-acro section rented from her husband by Chemis.

One witness deposed that tho shots were not likely to be heard, as the wind was blowing away from the nearest house. l)r. Cahill said as soon as ho noticed the stabs he suspected murder, but said nothing until the body was taken to the Morgue. There he found a large number of stabs, one of which divided the jugular vein. Wounds were thick about the neck and shoulders, and appeared to be made from above and forward. One cut severed the lower jawbone; on the trunk there were more than a dozen other stabs ; in fact the corpse was slashed all over. There was also a gunshot wound in tho lower part of the neck immediately above the shoulder. One stab penetrated to the heart, and all the wounds were clean cut and he believed were produced by a douole - edged weapon. They were all broader at the surface than in the interior of the body. lie believed the instrument must have been sharp, twoedged, tapering and strong, at least five inches in length. He believed portions that had been shot otf the coat and I'ost must have been torn away by a bullet fired from above which passed through the coat and struck tho knife or something hard in the vest pocket. There was a contusion corresponding with where the knife would have been hit from behind. The shot must have been fired when both were on a level and not two yards away. Many of the wounds would have caused death almost immediately. Tho inquest was adjourned for a week. At the inquest Inspector Thomson produced a dagger found by the police, without mentioning how it was obtained, and he asked Dr. Cahill whether the wounds could have been produced by that weapon Dr. Oahill said yes, any of the stabs could have been inflicted with it.

Later. No arrest h.is yet been made in the murder case.