THE POMAHAKA TRAGEDY.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVII, Issue 166, 16 July 1896, Page 2

THE POMAHAKA TRAGEDY.

INQUEST ON MRS MATSON.

(BT TE-EGRAPH.— PRESS ASSOCIATION.)

Donkdin, Wednesday. The inquest touching the death of Mary Mataon, whoae body waß found in a lagoon, formed by the overflow of the Pomahaka Kiver, waa commenced at Lawrence to-day, before Mr R. Pilling, J.P., acting coroner. Inspector Pardy conducted the inquiry. Mr Solomon watched the case on behalf of Carl Matßon, and Mr Hanlon did the same for Hanna Bebhera Clark, who attended in custody.

John Bain, rabbiter on the Clydevale Estate, waa the firab witness. He could only remember days, bub nob dates. In his evidence he said ho remembered giving Matson some lebbers, bub that was after Mrs Matson returned. Witness read the letters to Matson. One from Mrs Mabaou commenced " Dear Charles," and Said bhab she was living with Mrs Nelson, at Clinton, and ib was expensive, costing 4a a day. She wished Mataon to send Clark to Clinton and take her back, as they were man and wife, and she did nob wish any woman. to come between them again. That waa all witness recollected of the letter. After reading it, Matson said she was back, and she would nob be there long. He said this in a desperate tone. Matson had driven to hia (witness's) place that day. He returned bhab night, leaving his trap ab his place till next morning (Thursday). When Matson returned on Thursday he brought the girl with him. He yoked the carb up and lefb for Clinton with the girl. Witness next saw him on the following Saturday in the paddock close to hia (witness') place at 6.30 in the morning. Matson was driving the cart, aud had a box in ib which be said was Clark's. He said he was going to Clinton. Witness went to Clinton that day, and saw Matson and the girl there. She left by the express for Dunedin. Five minutes later Matson lefb in bhe carb for home. Witness lefb ab aboub aeven in company with Fred Hilton. (Thab was, Inspector Pardy stated, on the 22nd February.) When witness got home Matson was sitting ab the door of his house. He said that the horse waa knocked up, and he was frightened to go home. The distance of his place from witness' was six miles. There was no reason thab witness knew for his being frightened. Matson remained oil night wibh Hilton and witness. They chaffed him about taking the young one away and getting the old one back. He said he would nob be humbugged with "the old b much longer." Matson left) for borne nexb morning. Witness said thab on July 4th he saw a body floating in the lagoon, and pulled it oub. There waa an ordinary sack over the head, coming to tho waist. Tho head was covered by bhe bag, but the hair waa coming throuerh a halo in the bag. The bag was tied by a pioco of rope round the neck. Another sack had been pulled over* the feet and ankles, leaving the logs exposed. This bag waa torn, leaving the feet partly exposed. Thero were Btockings on both feat, and one elaatic shoe on. In pulling the body oub of the bag one of bhe legs cume naunder. The bags were similar to those produced. He told tho manager of the station, and by his instructionsremainod in charge of it till the police arrived. He identified tho body in the bag us thab of Mrs Matson.

Fredk. Hilton, rabbiter, gave mainly corroborative evidence.

Detective Herberb, in his evidence, said the only mark of violence on bhe body was a email wound on tho forehead. Witneae and Sergeant McKay arrested Mataon, who said he*had never Hoke her artiy harnt. *' He also said, "I am nob guilty. I struck her with bho whip, bub ib waa only the laah." The prisonerjClarkaskedithe police to take her with them, aa she could not stay there alone. She Baid, " They have often quarrelled, bub I never knew him to abrike her."

When Detective Herberb told Matson his wife's body had been found, and that ahe had been murdered, Mataon exclaimed " Murdered I" in a surprised manner. He protested his innocence. Thero was little or nothing in bho evidence so far but whab was already known. Six witnessea out of 13 had been examined when an adjournment was made.

Some of the clothes of Mrs Mataon and bhe bags in which the body had been found were produced, bub the odour proved unbearable and the articles had to bo removed.

Detective Herberb further said bhe rope tied round bhe sack in which tho body was found, corresponded with a rope attached to Mabßon'a plough. The prisoner listened to the evidence closely, bub did nob appear to be. much concerned.