MURDER CHARGE

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21775, 6 May 1936, Page 9

MURDER CHARGE

FARMER ON TRIAL AT DUNEDIN

EVIDENCE OF WIDOW AND SON

(FRISi ASSOCIATION TILBOBAU.) DUNEDIN, May 5. The charge against Hugh Urquhart Neil Gunn, of murdering William Beattie, at WaitepeKa, on February 22, was heard in the Supreme Court this morning, when Mrs Beattie, widow of Beattie, gave evidence. She* said that when the brothers Gunn tried to get a horse through the gate, Beattie tried to keep it back with a stick. The accused was hitting the horse, and then struck her husband over the head wiih a stick. She described the blow as a terrible one. Alfred James Benjamin Beattie, son of William Beattie, also gave evidence about the quarrel which preceded the tragedy. He said he did hot see his father throw anything at anyone, nor did he smell any pepper at any time. He heard one of the Gunns say at one stage, "Look out, or he'll throw pepper in your face." He said his father did not at any time lay hands on the accused. His father struck nothing in felling. A good deal of other evidence was heard, including that of the county clerk, who said that the dispute over the road (which had been mentioned several times in the case) had been before the County Council since about 1861.

The Crown case was unfinished when the court adjourned till to-mor-row.