MANSLAUGHTER. THE KAUKAPAKAPA TRAGEDY.

Evening Post, Volume LXXV, Issue 35, 11 February 1908, Page 7

MANSLAUGHTER. THE KAUKAPAKAPA TRAGEDY.

SENTENCE OF SEVEN YEARS' HARD LABOUR. [BY TBLEQRAPn. — PRESS ASSOCIATION.] AUCKLAND, This Day. In the Supreme Court, William Stuart, charged with tho murder of Gdward West, at Kauknpakapa, on 7th January, was found guilty of manslaughter and sentenced to seven years' hard labour. This is the case in which Stuart killed West by splitting his head open with an axe. At the inquest Mrs. Elizabeth Shanks identified the body as thnt of Edward West, a guindigger, who lived 'about half a mile from her place. On ' the afternoon of lh* 7th the prisoner (Stuart) came to her houso in a very excited state, and, said: "I am a murderer. I havo killed West." Mrs. Shanks asked him what he meant, and' haw he came to do it. He answered, "I had an axe in my hand, and was going to cut some wood to make a fir© to cook some eggs for our dinner'" (meaning himself and tho deceased). He further said : "West saw some gum in my camp, and used some vjle language to mo about not having, sold this gum. Thero was only a few shillings' worth. I was exasperated at the language used, and having the axe in my hand I chopped him on the head with it. Then I saw he was dead, and I camo over to tell you." Witness talked to him for some time, and then advised him to go home. She had known Stuart for about four years. He seemed quit* sensible, but looked as if he had been drinking. John James Hinds stated that he was in 'Mrs. Shanks's house when Stuart arrived. Stuart told him he had murdered West, and asked him to go and see, telling him about the dispute, aud how the deed was committed. Witness vyent out to Stuart's camp, entered tho whare, and found an oxa covered with blood lying on tho middle of the floor. He 'found the body lying on the ground, partly leaning up against a tree. West had a horrible Vgash in the head and blood over his face. / Constable Tapjv gave- evidence of the arrest of Stuart. When he picked up the axe, Stuart stated: "That is where I cut him down," adding that' ho afterwards dragged the body lUto tho scrub. The jury found a verdict' that Edward West came by his death through a blow from in axe inflicted by William Stuart, and that William Stuart wilfully murdered him.