A WESTPORT MYSTERY.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 205, 23 May 1908, Page 6

A WESTPORT MYSTERY.

■..: LAD'S SHOCKING STOEY.'' (BY TELEGRAPH.—PRESS.ASSOCIATION.) ' awiT > J . Westport,. May 22.V At tho adjourned inquest touching, .tho death of Edmund. John Bourse/ hdd- tonight, ConneUey, • brass; .boy:, on: -the . 's.s.' ialune, said ho and another-brass>boy, Wm. Murray, on the s.s. Rosamond, wero together at Gualter's- Hotel, having had several drinks at different. hotels. Thoy saw Hali-' men and. Andersen, of the s.s. Canopus, and Halimen asked witness, to go to Ayer's Hotel, and bring a man out to whom he had given • tobacco, and • for.: which" lie had not received payment. Halimen 'gave witness 6d. WiW.went to Ayer's Hotel, and' brought Bourke outside, when they were joined by Halimen and Andersen. The former asked Bourko for money for -tobacco.he. had given him. Bourke, who had been drinking a good, deal, said he had none. - The four wont over to M'Laughlin's stables, where witness said Halimen stnick Bourke, who again said he had no money. Witness also, stnick Bourko lightly with his partially closed fist. Bounce fell down, and Halimen kicked him' several; times, witness, callinghim a .coward for doing so., Halimen: took off one of Bourko s boots to see if any money was in it, and also unlaced the other. Witness saw Halimen pass something to his pocket, but could not say what it was, or where he got what he had in his hand. Ho heard Bourke's shirt and hip ppckpt being torn. Witness Halimen, and Andersen shortly, afterwards left tho building, when they.returned to the hotel, and had some drink. Later, when witness , hoard a policeman . ringing up ' he made enquiries, and returned to the stables with two bottles of hot water, putting them on Bourke's chest, but the dcctpr, who was also there, pronounced Bourke to bo dead Witness then went to a fish shop for suppor. but struck a girl, was turned out, and broke a window, cutting his hand badly. Ho was later arrested, and got eight days' imprisonment. Witness, who was only .18 years of age, admitted several previous convictions for being drunk and disorderly. He told the sergoant and police a different story to try and. shield tho men, also becauso Halimen had threatened to do for him if ho told what ho know. His present statement was true. Witness was severely cross-examined by the jury, but adhered closely to the account given on oath. , His statement was corroborated by Jlur-