RAMARAMA MURDER CASE

Evening Post, Volume XC, Issue XC, 7 October 1915, Page 5

RAMARAMA MURDER CASE

THE ADJOURNED INQUEST (BT TELEGRAPH.— rRhSS ASSOCIATION.) AUCKLAND, 6th October. j At the adjourned inquest on John Thomas Perry, farmer, of Kamarama, found shot dead in bed on 25th September, the following further evidence was taken : — William Francis Guinevan, farmer, of Ranwiama, told the coroner about 'the visit of Mrs. Perry and her son early on the morning of 2oth September He was awakened by hearing a woman calling out, "Come, quick; come, quick. Tom's dead." As lie left the house it was eight minutes past three He had told Mrs. Perry to send for Mr. Pilkington Witness called for Mr. Cox. the Presbyterian missioner Witness found deceased lying on his right side on the side of the bed nearest the window. His bead was shot away above the temple Witness remaiked, "He's shot." Mi-fe. Perry said, " Yes " Witness added, " But I don't see any firearms." Mrs. Peiry replied, "He was shot through the window In reply to his enquiry as to whether there were any firearms in the house,, Mrs. Perry said, " There's only a gun in the dairy, and that has not been used since Thursday." She either added that there were two cartridges left or that the last two had been fired on the Thursday Witness said that the line of the window was too low for the shot to have entered deceased's head where it did. Witness related circumstances of a will which he- and Mr Pilkington witnessed when deceased was poisoned in April last. On arriving at the house in response to a call they found Perry lying on the floor suffering from the effects of poisoning. He said he wanted the property left to the four eldest boys. Mrs. Perry asked him what Leonard (The youngest boy) had done to be left out of the will, whereat Perry said, " All right, put him in." On the suggestion of witness Mrs Perry was given a life interest with the proviso 'that after her death the five sons shoulu~divide the property equally. Witness said Mrs. Perryseemed to be concerned about her husband. She did not complain beforn provision was made for her in the will,' but only when the boy Leonard was left out. George Frederick Cox, Presbyterian imssioner, gave evidence as to accompanying the previous witness to rerry's house. He said Mrs Peiry was greatly distressed. Dr Brookfield described deceased's injuries. He was of opinion that the shot was fired close to deceased's head.He did not think it could have be^n fired through a window with the same result. Describing deceased's illness in April witness said it was possible that the cause of illness was tetanus. Dr. Milson was of opinion Tnat the wound was not raueod by a gun being fired from outside a uTudow. It was probably fired close to the head. It was possible for the wound to be self-inflict-ed, but this was very unusual Tb.6 inquest was adjourue'' '

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