LATE CABLES.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 9824, 25 July 1900, Page 5

LATE CABLES.

THE GILGANDBA TRAGEDY.

Inquest on the Mawbeys.

Wilful Murder.

Mrs Mackay's Terrible Experience.

Reign of Terror.

Armed Guards in Town and Country.

United Press Anyociation. By Electric Telegraph — Copyright.

(Received July 25, 9.25 a.m.)

Sydney, This day,

The inquest on the Mawbeys has concluded. Jackey Porter, a very old aboriginal, declared that he remained in camp during the tragedy and took no part in it. The other evidence was similar. Jimmy Governor's wife laughed repeatedly while giving evidence.

A verdict of wilful murder was returned against Jimmy and Joe Governor, Jack Underwood, Jack Porter, and Mrs Governor. The chief reason for including the last named was a declaration by Mrs Mawbey that she heard a woman's voice while the outrage was in progress. At the inquest on Mack ay, his wife deposed that when she opened the door to the blacks one of them said : "We murderers. Come outside ; we kill you all."

He struck her twice with a tomahawk as she closed the door. Failing to break in the door the blacks smashed all the windows with stones. She opened the door and went outside again with her little girl, when the blacks made her and her daughter stand on the verandah till they searched the place all over. Meantime they had split open Mackay's head with a tomahawk. When they came out they demanded money, and she gave them £8. They took a horse, saddled it, and cleared. Mackay died in two hours.

Jackey Underwood was arrested by a civilian, and was found to be wounded.

A reign of terror exists amongst the isolated settlers They are afraid to go to bed, and are guarding their houses.

Armed parties of civilians guard the town of Merriwa, and a number of reservists, also armed, are assisting the police to guard the settlers.

The Government offer a reward of £100 for each of the murderers.