INQUEST ON THE LATE SERGEANT McGUIRE.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 13710, 18 April 1910, Page 8

INQUEST ON THE LATE SERGEANT McGUIRE.

(PREPS ASSOCIATION TFXEGKAM.) PALMERSTON NORTH, April 16. An inquest touching the deatn of the late Sergeant McGuire was held to-day, betore Mr A. D. Thomp-on, actingcuroner, and a jury of six. Dr. Martin gave evidence that death was caused by of urine and septic (peritonitis, the effect of a gun wound. From the nature of the wound he jiwged that the shot had been fired at close quarters. The track of the wound was upwards, and he thought the shot was fired sideways or upwards fiom the ground, as either or both men were lying down, or the sergeant was standing above the man who fired. Dr Martin also read statements made by the deceased shortly before his death to the effect ; that lie could not swear it was Powelka with whom he struggled, but the man •had a big hard hat on his head. He struck the man in the face with his handcuffs, and they closed and fell to the ground. Ho called Quartermain, and the latter came and fired two shots. Ho was certain that the man whom he was grappling fired first; that was the bullet that struck him. He was lying on the ground when he was stn.i?kt. Dr. Martin also deposed that the bullet produced by Inspector Wilson as having been; one of those in the ifcvolven fired by Quartermain was totally different to tbat extracted from the body of deceased. ; Inspector Wilson deposed to having received the cartridge and revolver from Detective Quartermain. The bullet taken from the cartridge in Quartermain's revolver was . different in structure, size, and weight to that extracted from deceased. Sub-Inspector O'Donovan, in his evidence, said that McGuire, in reply to a question by witness as to why he had not taken a revolver with him, had said "I'm glad I didn't. I would not have used it. At any rate I might have shot him, but I'm better pleased tbr-.t he shot mc." ' After further evidence tho jury returned a verdict that deceased died from the effects of a gun wound wilfully inflicted by the man with whom he was grappling while endeavouring to arrest him, on Sunday, AprillOth. ' (PRESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.) WELLINGTON, April 17. The funeral of the late Sergeant McGuire took place this afternoon at the Karori Cemetery. There was a very large attendance. The hearse was preceded arid surrounded by nearly a hundred members of the police force. About seventy carriages followed, and there were many pedestrians. The cortege was about half a mile long.