NGATEA TRAGEDY.

Auckland Star, Volume LIII, Issue 83, 10 April 1922, Page 2

NGATEA TRAGEDY.

G_ADYS HUTCHISON-- DEATH. RESUMPTION OF INQUEST. ißy Telegraph.— Press Association.: THAMES, this day. The adjourned inquest, in the preliminary hearing in connection with the circumstances of the death ot" Gladys Hutchison, who died its a result, of wounds alleged to have i«en inflicted by Arthur WiUon Page, was resumed before Mr. -T. 11. Salmon, S.M.. this morning. —r. Meredith appeared for the Crown, while Mr. C. -I- G-arland appeared on behalf of accused. The casie attracted considerable attention, and the Court wast packed. Accused appeared calm and collected, and followed the case with interest, continually sm-ilifig when certain statements made by witnesses appeartd to amuse hit:: Ih-feefivc Kelly ipolioc photographer I produced photos! of the scene connected with the t raced**. Tiiumas F'uli'b—on. a three-quarter caste native, and husband of-the deceased, pivp evidi j .nie as to bin relations with his wife, who left him on rr-ire than one occasion and went away and lived with Page. Witness was a share-milker, and had been married about fifteen years. I'here were three children, liie youngest being three year;. i>f ujrr. Page used to visit witiu:—' house in 1!)2I, when working in *.iic vicinity, and Hiitclisioti had words with his wife over it. As a result she went away, met her later in the 'I hai-ir-s. and said. **V«u had letter come home." Deceased declined, and slaved away fur several tt-mth:-. but eventually returned. She bit again. however, atir! went tv a boardinghouse at. i'aiTiia with Parte. tot h returned to the district after some weeks but his wife nnce more went away with accused, tiii- time to Pipiroa. At fir:?t she had none i>f the children with her. but a few days before the tragedy she returned and took the youngest child. Witness met his wife tind Page on the Friday before the alleged murder and asked deceased to come home, but she did not answer. On Saturday witness came to Thames and spent the day wit.: his wife, who promised to return the following Tuesday. On that same day Hutchison was to be charged with supplying liquor to natives. Witness saw Page late at night. His wife returned with accused, and did not eoiue home with witness. On the Tuesday he went "with the police to Pipiroa and found her lying on a mattress outside the cottage. Mic was in a very bad condition, and said "Page has done it because I wanted lo come home." She then said: "Take my wedding ring off my finger. I am not going to live." His wife later died on the way to tiie hospital, and witness recognised certain clothing as belonging to his wife.

To Mr. Garland: When accused was working for witness he was living in Hutchison's house. i

George Wallace, farmer. ?aid Page was living with a woman at Pipiroa whom he knew to be Mrs. Hutchison. On the day of the shooting ho saw Page with a gun open at the breech, but noticed nothing unusual about him al the time. He appeared quite normal. He later noticed Mrs. Hutchison and accused with a child preparing to leave a shanty in the vicinity. He heard no quarrelling, but a few minutes afterwards heard the report.of a gun. followed by a woman's scream. Mrs. Hutchison instantly fell. Witness said accused took a few steps back, and then lircd at himself. When witnes.-. went towards them they both got up. Deceased beckoned with her left hand, intending witness to keep away. Page saw witness and had a gun pointing in his direction, but did not make any remark: Witness later got assistance, and accused and Mrs. Hutchison went over to the bridge in the vicinity, where they were met later by the police. Witness asked Pago if the gun were loaded, and he replied. "Yes. both barrels and cocked." Page walked without assistance, but deceased sat down. Accused remarked.

"1 love this woman: you do not .understand." He appeared quite normal.

Patrick Cooper, of Pipiroa, who gave corroborative evidence. heard both .-hots, lie saw the child following its mother. Witness could see that Mr=. Hutchison was badly injured about the face, and also the arm, which wits almost shot away. Cage, when accosted, asked for a cigarette and appeared quite sober, silting on the bridge unsupported. The case is" proceeding.