FOUND DEAD.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 3585, 10 March 1914, Page 4

FOUND DEAD.

THE TE ARAROA TRAGEDY

AN OPEN VERDICT RETURNED^

JTBOiI OCR OWN COESESPONDENTj TE ARAROA, March 9. The adjourned inquest concerning the death of Robert Taylor, who was found dead in his premises at Te Araroa on Sunday, March 1, was continued to-day, before Mr McKelchie. J.P., and a jury, of wlyeh Mr *7. Alexander "was foreman. Inspector O’Donovan represented the police. Mr M. Downey, school teacher, gave evidence to the effect that he had visited deceased’s premises at 7 o’clock on the morning of March 1. and had found deceased dead. He stated that he found deceased lying with his head inside the door of his shop. _ There was congealed blood on Taylor’s face, which gave witness the impression that dec-eased had been killed by a revolver bullet. The pockets of deceased’s coat and trousers were protruding. He lifted up the head, and. being under the impression that there had been foul play, lie telegraphed toConstable Duddy at Port Avanui. Mr Ivinnaird "Hovell stated that he had been called by a Maori named Rowhai. When he readier the premise-, he found the body iying in the doorway, with a lantern under the right arm. He moved the lantern and moved the body to make an examination. He then examined the premises, and found the ;-ounter locked from the inside. Deceased had apparently clambered over the counter to get out of the shop, which witnesshad seen him do on a previous' occasion .. The jury returned the following verdict: ‘That deceased. Robert Taylor, was found dead in his own shop on the morning of March 1. and that he died.. from a fracture of the skull, but true is no evidence to show how _we injury was. caused.” INSPECTOR O'DOXOVAV'S VIEWS Seen by your correspondent. Inspector O'Donovan said that the investigations went to show that deceased’sdeath was accidental, there being no evidence to bear out the suggestion of murder. His idea was that Taylor has slipped on r-he loose stones at the doorway and had fallen inwardly, striking , his head on the counter. There was nothing to connect ths presence of several boxes'of pea ridecartridges on.the counter with deceased’s death.