TAIHAPE TRAGEDY

Evening Star, Issue 18543, 28 January 1924, Page 5

TAIHAPE TRAGEDY

VISIT TO SCENE. FILTH AND SQUALOR. [Special to the ‘ Star.’] WANGANUI, January 26. During the tea adjournment at the Tai* hape murder trial last night, the magistrate (Mr Watson), Superintendent Fouhy, counsel, and the visiting reporters motored out to Meghan's farm, a distance of about two miles from Taihape, along a pretty road studded with native bush. The house stands back about ft chain from the main road, and has a neglected appearance —likewise the surroundings. A playful white cat met the party at the gate, and rubbed itself against tho legs of members individually, purring with delight at sight of the strangers. Tho dogs, chained in the rear of the dwelling, and oared for by a neighboring farmee (Air Banks), also barked by way of greeting. Tho party first made an inspection of the outside. Under tho lilac tree where the body of Gommell was found tho morning after tho tragedy, there still remains a big blood stain in the grass. Ono window of tho dwelling was broken and patched up with a piece of galvanised iron, while another had a patch of brown paper. A rusty old range stood on tho front verandah.

Sergeant Matthews opened the door, and a most disagreeable smell from within . was the forerunner to a scene of filth and , squalor. The whole of the interior boro 1 evidence of a drunken spree. Strange to state there was an absence of empty bottles, and those must have been disposed of before the police arrived on the morning of tho tragedy. All manner of articles were littered about. There were dirty rags doing duty as curtaips, cooking utensils that appeared as if they had nob made acquaintance with soap and water for months, candlesticks full of grease, and bods and bedding in keeping with the filthy state of the rooms. “ Como,” said counsel, “ and I will show you the latest in bathrooms.” Hs then led tho party to a lean-to at the rear. Weatherboarding was upright, with big spaces between, and a piece of sacking was tacked on tho wall to shelter any person having a dip from the penetrating wind. The bath stood on a clay floor, and did not bear evidence of having been used very often. An inspection was made of tho bed on which Gemmcll lay after the assault. This is in a small room off the kitchen, with a slanting ceiling, the wallpaper in keeping with the dirt. Here blood splashes were noticed on tho wall. There is every probability that Gemmell was assaulted here as well as in some other part of the whare, and possibly outside. The rural surroundings of the farm are much more pleasant. At tho back of the house is a fine stretch of good sheep and cattle country, which slopes nicely to the sun. The farm runs back Hautapu River. Moghan has about 350 acres, stated to bo worth up to £3O per acre. It is reported that he had been trying to sell tne two farms, but the price was £35 per acre. His second farm was purchased about years ago. In his dealings in connection with the fam Moghan is described as being keen in driving a bargain. Mrs Moghan, with her friend Mrs Bak, was in court most of tho day yesterday, watching the proceedings with great interest. In the evening Mrs Moghan asked to see her husband. Ho was told of tha request and consented to seo Mrs Moghan, and a reconciliation took place. ACCUSED’S WRITTEN STATEMENT. Giving evidence at the preliminary, hearing, Sergeant Matthews stated that at tho police station Moghan said ha would like to make a statement in writing. Ho took Moghan to his office, where he made the following statement: —I, An* | thony Moghan, of Raukura, farmer, wish. ! to make the following statement t A man j named R. G. Riley, who was employed by me, informed me yesterday that the deceased Gemmell arid a Maori named ■ John Jackson, commonly known as Maori' Jack, had planned to kill me. Gemmell. was in my house at tho time, and Riley 1 and I came from the cow- shed. On en- f taring tho kitchen Gemmell called ms | ‘an Irish-bred mongrel.’ He repeated ; this several times and then rushed at ] me. I guarded and struck him with my j fist. He struck at me first, and I hit ( in self-defence. Ho hit mo twice on tho j chest. This happened in the afternoon. , I had paid Gemmell on January 1, but he refused to leave the place. Later in the evening Riley and I found Gemmell lying on the ground in front of my house. Ho was Insensible, and we tried to bring him round, but he did not come round. I sent Riley to ring up for tho police and a doctor. He went to Bnnks’s place to ring up, but Banks was away. He then went away, and I told him to go 'into Taihape and inform the police and to get a doctor. I have read tho attached statement, which is true, and I made it at my own request.” Moghan added that he would not say more until he had seen his solicitor.