The Charges Against John Norton.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 8108, 13 October 1906, Page 6

The Charges Against John Norton.

By Electric Telegraph—Copyright. Per Press Association. SYDNEY October 12. At the inquest on the body of Grohn, Dr Palmer, who made an examination, deposed there were no marks of violence on the skull, which was a remarkably thick one. Part of the brain was pink, which, he took to be bloodstained, but did not think that indicated anything. It might haye boen from putrefaction. He formed no opinion at all of tiie cause of death. It was possible to get concussion of the brain without a fracture or external mark. . The Government pathologist, who assisted Palmer, endorsed this evidence and declared that there was no evidence at all of violence. Mr Moss, solicitor, gave evidence that he had had a conversation with Morris, who told him Haynes had given him £10 to give information about Grohn 3 death, and that he had been promised a further £20 by a man connected with Haynes office. Morris said he was " pulling their leg " for all it was worth, and asked witness to tell Norton if he pulled their leg Norton ought to stana. £50. SYDNEY. This Day.

Morris, in his evidence, emphatically denied Moss's statement as to his receiving money. The inquest was adjourned till Alondav.

The evidence of Morris as given at the hearing of the slander action, Norton v. Haynes, was as follows : Edward David Morris, an employee of the City Council, staged that he had been in the employ of John Norton for five years as watchman. He knew Grohn. Grohn did nothing so far as he knew, but lived with Norton. Grohn was apparency between 40 and 50 ytars of age. Witness was f urtker examined. He'said that on November 9, 1902, the date when Grohn died, he was in Norton's house at Randwick. Norton, Grohn, and wituess were there at night Grohn came home about halfpast eleven p.m., and ho and Norton remained drinking together until about one o'clock. sat at the end of the table reading, and not drinking. An argument arose between Norton and Grohn. JNorton said to Grohn that Gilbert Smith and Mrs Norton would ; never have known about his (Norton's) career coming over in the boat but for him, and that Gilbert Smith could not have written the pamphlet he did except on Grohn's information. The two were "barneying," but as that was not unusual, witness took no special notice of their talk most of the time. It was a common thing between them, especially when Norton was drunk. 'Ikey were both drunk that night, and had five or six bottles of beer on the table. "Witness said he got tired of trying to stop them drinking. Norton stood up and poured out beer for Grobn. Witness said he saw Norton hit Grohn on the top of the head with a bottle while the la.ter was sitting in his chair sideways to the table. He (witness) rushed to stophim, and he heard Norton say, " You won't tell anyone about this; you old yon'll never say anything about me again.' Witness called Norton the biggest coward he ever saw, and said also, "You are not satisfied with knocking him down twice in one day in the kitchen, but you must assault him again to-night," or something to that effect. Grohn fell forward on his head on the carpet, and Norton kept the bottle in his hand. Witness picked Grohn up. and sat him in a chair. Grohn's fcedy was quivering, and his breathing was loud and like snoring. Froth was coming out of his mouth. Grohn could not epeak, and seemed to be paralysed. Witness and Norton called him Bismarck. Witness carried Grohn upstair?. Norton tried to help, but was too drunk to give any practical assistance. Witness put Grohn on the bad. When witness spoke to Norton about hitting Grohn, Norton said something like, " Serve the old —— right." Blooi was coming out of his mouth and nose. Norton was still down in the dining-room. Witness told Norton he had bettor go to bed, and he wont. About three or four o'clock in the morning witness found Grohn lying dead with his mouth and eyes wide open. Witness said he woke Norton up, and said to him, " This is a fine thing you've done now; Bismarck's dead." Norton walked upstairs with witness and looked at Grohn. Witness suggested ringing up a doctor, but Norton said not to ring up anyone before 6 o'clock, and then to ring up Truth office. Witness rang up Dr Keddall at half-past 7 a.m. Dr Reddall came, and witness, in Norton's presence, said to the doctor, " When I came up about half past 3 a.m , I found Mm dead." Witness told tli3 story to several people, and spoke to Norton about it in Truth office m the present;o of Mr Corlette.

Mr Walker tendered a certificate of the death of George Grohn. This showed that Grohn died on November 3, 1902, and that his death was registered by John Norton on November 17,1904. Continuing, witness said that on the Sunday Grohn died, Norton wanted him buried just aB he lay on the bed. Witness objected, and insisted that the body should be laid out properly, and buried in a suit of pyjamas. Coffill's men laid the body out. When he wanted to have!* Grohn buried as he was Norton said, " It's good enough for him as he is." Cross-examined, witness said he did not tell Sergeant Sawteb anything- Sergeant McKee and another officer came to the house. Witness told McKee he found Grohn dead upstairs.