WAITEPEKA TRAGEDY

Evening Star, Issue 22271, 24 February 1936, Page 8

WAITEPEKA TRAGEDY

ARGUMENT ENDS FATALLY ELDERLY FARMER'S HEAD INJURIES YOUNG MAN ARRESTED ON MURDER CHARGE Seven hours after being admitted unconscious to the Balclutha Hospital, William Beatty, a farmer, died yesterday morning from head injuries, received, it is alleged, by being struck with a manuka stick by a neighbouring fanner, Hugh Urquhart Neil Gunn, during an argument at Waitepeka, near Balclutha. Gunn, who was arrested on Saturday night, on a charge of committing assault causing bodily harm, is now charged with murder. Chief-detective J. B. Young, Detec-tive-sergeant T. Y. Hall, and Detective G. Taylor, of Dunedin, are in the district making investigations. The inquest on Beatty is to be formally opened this evening by Mr H. W. Dixon, S.M., and a post-mortem examination is to be made to-morrow by Professor E. F. D’Ath. From the investigations so far made by the police, it appears that the quarrel, which ended fatally, had been protracted. A roadway which previously ran through Beatty’s property had been the basis of freely and publicly ventilated grievance for some time. The Comity Council closed this particular road and built another for traffic, and it is understood that Gunn’s continued use of the old road led to friction and feeling. At about 8 o’clock on Saturday night, Gunn was using the road through Beatty’s farm and was accosted by the owner. Allegations of trespass led to an argument, which culminated in Beatty falling to the ground. It is alleged that Gunn, who is 28 years of age and single, struck Beatty over the head with a heavy stick of manuka. Beatty’s condition was soon _ found to be serious, and medical assistance was called, the injured man being admitted to the Balclutha Hospital at 10 o’clock. The Balclutha police were informed of the affray and Constable Boyle went to Waitepeka and arrested Gunn on a charge of assault. Beatty failed to regain consciousness and died at 5 a.m. yesterday, the murder charge then being preferred against Gunn. Beatty, who was aged 68 years, was partly crippled, while Gunn is described as being of excellent physique. appearance in court, Gunn was brought before Mr A. E. Russell, J.P., at the Balclutha Courthouse this morning and was formally charged with the murder of William Beatty. . On the application of Chiof-detectrve Young, the accused was remanded to appear at Dunedin on Monday, March 2.