INQUEST ON THE BODY OF GEORGE DARE.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXI, Issue 2613, 2 December 1865, Page 5

INQUEST ON THE BODY OF GEORGE DARE.

An inquest on the body of George Dare, a lettler, who was killed by a blow of % man's fUb, at Waiwera, on the 22nd o£ November last, was held at the Waiwera Hotel, on the 23rd, before Cwlfcon H, X Hill, Esq., coroner, and a jury. The following evidence was taken :—: — .Francis Thomas Bayntum, being sworn, «»id : lam a legally qualified medical practitioner. I was called by Henry Symjj. I [found the deceased pulseless, and in a state of syncope. I ordered him hot water and mustard to his feet immediately. A few minutes after I told Mr. Henry Syms that he was dead. When I found him in a state of syncope I pulled his tongue out. I have just now viewed the body, and found no marks of violence whatever externally. I cannot state what caused the death of deceased. Henry Joseph Syms, being sworn, said : I amproprietor of the Wniweia Hotel. About seven o'clock on the evening of the 22nd of November the deceased came to my house in a state of intoxication, and was very quarrelsome. I got out of his way as much, ai possible, in oonsequence of the apparent animosity he had towards me, for what reason I do not know. I immediately closed my bar in consequence of the intoxicated state of the deceased and others. The deceased left my house, and returned in about a quarter of an hour, aud insisted upon my opening the bar, which I refused to do, wheieupon he threatened to break my face, by placing his clenched, fist against ray face. Three times I placed my hands in my rockets, and told him they were there, and not to strike, as I would not tako them out. He then called me some idle names which I don't think proper to mention, whereupon a young man who was standing by, whose name I do not know, (stepped forsvard and said, "D you, you »cc he does not want to fight with you," suiting the action to. the word, struck him, the deceased, with the right hand, on the left side of the neck ; as he was fallina;, apparently from the effect of th» blow, he struck the deceased with the left hand, on the face. The deceased then fell down on his back and groaned ; he then tinned on his right side and breathed rather heavily. I called for assistance fiom those who weie standing by, who assisted me to place him on a seat in a lying position under the verandah near the bar door, uudid his necktie and applied cold water to his head ; and lent for Dr. Bayntum, who was on the premises. In the meantime, with assistance, I removed him to the room ho nowlies in, as to all appearance he was dead. Dr. Bnyntnm ordered hot water aud mustard to be applied to his feet as a bath, which I did myself immediately,' and continued it until Dr. Bayntum pionounced him as dead. I then left off and took charge of the body until the coroner ariived to-night. In about five minutes from the time he leceived the blow I myself believed him to be dead. It was so dark I could not tell whether the peison who inflicted the blow had any weapon iv his hand. As I was not above a yaid from him, the blow was given so instantaueoua that I had not time to in teifeie. The mau who struck the blow appeared to be about five feet six or less, with smooth face and light complextiou, and dressed in dark clothing. As soon as he struck tho blow he passed through the paddock aud disappeared. If I thought for a moment that death would have ensued I would have arrested the man, bnt thinking it was a drunken squabble, I considered it my duty, as a publican, to look after the helpless, »ud to allow those that could go homo, which I did. The man that ■truck the blow did not appear to be under the influence of liquor as much as the deceased, from tho mauner iv which he walked away^ So far as I am aware there was not the slightest provocation for the the assault, directly giren. I firmly believe that I could recognise the man that struck the blows, but I would not undeitake to iwear to the man ai the night was exceedingly dark. Mero, an aboriginal native, on being sworn, said : Last evening about eight o'clock I was in Syins's Hottl, and heard blows given, but caunot say who gave the blows. John Hunt, on bein^' sworn, said i I'called afc Syins's Hotul last evening about eight o'clock. I saw Mr. Symi sitting outside the bar door. The deceased was standing in. front of Mr. Syms, with his fist in Mr. Syms's face. Hie deceased said to Mr. Syms, " You *re a two-faced scoundrel," and just at the time a man came up and itruck the deceased, I think he itrack him the second time. As tho deceaied fell tho man that struck the blows went away towards the beach. I was talking to Mr. Syms, and wanted some spiiit* from him ; he would not give me any, as he would wot open - the bar for anybody. Mr. Syms told the deceased that his hands were in his pockets. It wai not possible for him to have struck the deceased without my seeing him do to. Anue Jileanor]D\re, on being iworn, said: The deceased is my late husband. He left home yesteiday morning in good health. He went to Mr. Andeison'B, to vote at the election. When I came down the liver he had left Mr, Anderson's. I then came down to Mr. Syms's. I found the deceased, fcfe was lather excited. He was under the verandah, in fiout of the bar. The bar was closed. There were two or thiee persons wraugling, and the deceased wanted to make peace. I wanted him to come home. He told me he would come when ho liked, and lie would allow no woman to rule him. Eveiy time I went near him he avoided me. He went and asked Mr. Syms if it was to be an open house Mr. Syms replied, if they called fur anything, and had the money to pay for it, they conld have it. He (tho deceased) then said if tho girl and boy would go home with him he would go. He would not allow me to go home with him. The boy and girl took him away to Mr. and Mm. Anderson, as they were just at tho end of the paddock. It was about dark when they went away. I came upstaiis to the dtning-rooin. In about three quarters of au hour Mero came upstairs to tell the gnl to go down and see after her father, as he was dying. Young Joseph Syms came up and called the doctor. I followed. They were just canyiug the deceased to lay him on the bod as I got down. It°is the same bed ho now lies on. I saw instantly that he was dead. The doctor felt hi* pulse and oidered mustard and water to his feet. Mr. Sims applied it. I have known the deceased to have fits tbree times. The last time ho was attacked was on Easfcer Monday last. It was when he was under the influence of liquor that he had fils. It is likely that the irritation ot his mind would bring on a fit. The jury returned tho following verdict :— " That the deceased, Geoige Dare, on the 22nd day of November, in the year 18G5, came by his death jroin a blow or blows given by some person unknown, and record their verdict of manslaughter against the said nnknown peiaon."