A FATAL QUARREL

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LIII, Issue LIII, 23 May 1908, Page 5

A FATAL QUARREL

THE WESTPORT AtffMß. , [PBESS ASSOCIATION.] WESTPORT, May 22. At the adjourned inquest touching the death of Edmund John Burke, held to-night, Connelly, brass boy on the s. s. Talune, said that he and another brass boy, together with deceased and Halimen, went over to McLaughlin's stables, where Halimen struck Burke (who again said he had no money) for not having paid for certain tobacco supplied. "Witness also struck Burke lightly with his partially closed fist. Eurke fell down and Halimen kicked him several times, witness calling him a coward for doing so. Halimen took off one of Burkes boots to see if any money was in it, and also unlaced the other. Witness saw Halimen pass something to his pocket, but- could not say what it was or where. he got what 'he had in his hand. He, heard Burkes shirt arid hip pockets being torn.) Witness, Halimen and Anderson shortly afterwards 'left the building. When they returned to the hotel he had some drink, and later, when he heard a policeman ringing, up, made enquiries and' returned 1 to the | stables with two bottles of hot water, putting them on B.urke's chest, 'but the doctor, who was also there, pronounced him dead. _ Witness then went to a fish shop for supper, but struck a girl. He was turned out and- broke a window", cutting his hand badly. He was later arrested, and got weight days. Witness, who is only 18 years of .age, admitted several previous convictions for being drunk and disorderly. He told the sergeant and police a different story to try" to shield the men, also because Halimen had threatened to "do" for him if he told what he knew. His present statement was true. Witness was severely, cross-examined ' by the jury, but adhered closely to the account given on oath. His statement was corroborated by Murray.