TWO BOYS QUARREL

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVIII, Issue 202, 9 August 1928, Page 7

TWO BOYS QUARREL

UNFORTUNATE DEATH OF ONE.

EVIDENCE AT INQUEST.

Wellington, Aug. 7. An inquest was held to-day into the death of Roy Tilbury, aged 12, of Constable street, Newtown. The circumstances disclosed by the evidence were that deceased and another boy, James King, aged 13, hall quarrelled, it being alleged that deceased had frequently called King names and squirted water at him. Deceased and a friend were standing by a confectioner’s shop, on July 27, when King came past and asked deceased if he intended giving any more cheek. King then struck deceased on the .eye with a fist, deceased. in falling, striking his head against a window. He did nut appear hurt at the time, but two days later complained of pains in the head. He was examined by a doctor and removed to hospital on August 1, where he died on August 4. The medical evidence was to the effect that death was due to a fracture of the temple, extending into the nose, followed by acute meningitis. James King said he did not mean to hurt the deceased, the blow being given as a warning. After the blow, witness ran away.

The coroner, Mr. E. Page, S.M., remarked that the facts in the case seemed clear. Deceased appeared to be accustomed to calling King names. A few minutes prior to the striking of the blow, deceased had squirted water at King. It was only to be expected that King would retaliate. The deceased boy’s head had struck a window, and the serious injuries and subsequent death were unfortunate. It was quite unexpected from a blow which was not really a violent one. “I do not think,” concluded the coroner, ‘‘that King had any desire to do the boy any real injury.” A finding in accordance with the medical testimony wag brought in.