THE INQUEST.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LIII, Issue LIII, 9 January 1908, Page 5

THE INQUEST.

HELENSVILLE, January 9.

At the inquest on the body of Edward West, Mrs Elizabeth Shanks deposed that on the afternoon of -the 7th the prisoner Stuart came to her house in a very excited state, and stated that he had killed West. He eeemed quite sensible, but looked as if he had been drinking. She identified a hat produced at the inquest, which hod a cleain cut through the crown and was smothered in bkod, as the hat usually worn by West.

John James Hinds deposed that he was in Mrs Shanks' house when Stuart arrived. Stuart told him he had murdered W est and asked him to go and see, telling him about the dispute airfd how the deed was committed. Witness went out to Stuart's camp and entered the whare, where he found aai axe covered with blood lying on the middle of the floor. He found the body lying on the ground, partly leaning up against a tree. West had a horrible gash in the head. There was blood over his face and a pool of blood on the ground.

Constable Tapp deposed to arresting Stuart. When he picked up the axe StuaTt stated: "That is where I cut him down," adding that be afterwards dragged the body into the scrub.

The jury found a verdict that Edward West came by his death through a blow Irom an axe inflicted by William Stuairt, and that William Stuart wilfully murdered him.

StuaTt was removed to Helensville, where he will be brought before the Court. ;■