THE REEFTON MURDER CASE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVIII, Issue 6063, 23 April 1881, Page 5

THE REEFTON MURDER CASE.

- [by tixegraph.—press association.] Reetton, Friday. The murder case has been adjourned. An anquiry into the case was held at Reefton on Wednesday and Thursday. A number of witnesses were, examined, but the greater portion of the evidence is freely corroborative of the facta already published. The accused, McGahey, listened to the evidence in the most calm and collected manner, and keenly cross-examined witnesses from material points. Dr. Thorpe said there was no sign of any. gun-shot wound about the body of the murdered man. In bis opinion the wound on the head had been caused by one blow only. Thomas Leecher said he had worked for Bell for some time, and Mrs. McGahey was living there. She and Bell were on good terms, though they had a quiet growl sometimes. He often heard her say she was afraid of her life of McGahey. Bell did not appear to be afraid. He said if McGahey came there to annoy him, he ■would prosecute him. Mra. McGahey and Bell did not live together as man and wife; they had separate rooms. When he returned to Boll's on Friday night, he told Mrs. MeGaliey and Bell about meeting McGahey at Gallagher's, but they mado no remark. He never saw any impropriety between Bell and Mrs. McGahey while living there ; fce never observed any clothing of "Bell's" in Mrs. McGahey's room, but on Sunday he noticed a coloured shirt in McGahey's room. In reply to McGahey witness said that he never heard of Bell being kicked by a cow, and never heard Bell say that anyoue had a down on him but McGahey. BelV and Mrs. McGahey parted on good terras. The inquest was resumed on Thursday. Allsor Kjng said McGahey stopped at his house on Friday night. He had a loaded gun, and was excited. McGahey was anxioue to go on that night about 10 o'clock, but witness prevailed ■on him to no to bed, and when taking him upstairs, McGahey said, "By God, King,. 11l have revenge." Next morning, at six o'clock, he saw McGahey leave and go towards the boatman. He had heard McGahey speak disrespectfully of Bell and Mrs. McGahey, but never heard him make use of any threats. McGahey gave no reason for wanting to leave that night or early next day. When accused made .use of these expressions, he was in liqnor, but not drunk. In reply to the accused, witness said: When I took you to bed you said you had been accused of an action oi which you had not been guilty, and that you would have revenge. That was when you used the words "I'll have revengel" The splinters produced are like the wood of the gun which he carried, but I could not swear to them. Frank' McLean said he had a"drink with McGahey at his invitation when going along the Buller road. , He saw something strange about his face, and asked him what'his trouble was.. He said he was in trouble about his wife, and that she was in town procuring a warrant.for his arrest. He said he was in a great way about his wife and a nian named Bell. He , asked him why he did- not go away from the place altogether? He said he would not for the present, and would have his revenge. The witness him about such remarks, and said Bell and her'were not worth interfering with. .He said he did t not care, arid would • blow ■ their very brains out before Sunday. Again he cautioned him about T/hat he was saying, and told him to be very careful, as he: was then' in a state of great excitement. ■' For a second time witness invited accused to come to his place and have a. cup of tea,'- but he declined, and said he would go; back to town. That was the last he saw '] 'of• : the accused, and could not say whether he went to Reefton or the Buller. J&e had no swag or gun. He" ■was sober, but ■ very excited. Prior to this he had .never heard him make any remarks about his trouble. He was not acquainted with Bell or Mrs. McGabey. in .'reply to the police, in respect to McGahey's threats, witness said that when he cautioned him about talking so, McGahey replied he would do away with himself, or words to that effect. Thomas Pinnall knew Bell. McGahey was down the Buller road on the 16th. At 10 a.m. he was three quarters of a mile from Larry's Creet| when he heard the report of a gun, and remarked that some one was shooting,' when he and Bennett, who was with him at the time, went to Bell's. They found the body lying on its side in the cowshed. There was a mark under the right ear and a'crack at the back of the head. . He picked up a piece of patjer, which he toot to be the wad of a gun. He saw O'Brien pick up a paper collar with ** blood on it. (Previously a witness deposed that Bell did not wear a paper collar.) He noticed that it was apparently the print of a man's head in the mud, and epots of blood about the shed, also where the body had been dragged alo:ag .the mud inside. He looked about, anti saw no marks of shot or bullet, and found no other traces of the gun but the two small splinters produced. He Sook no notice of the foot-prints about the shed, and had not seen McGahey that day. Michael O'Keefe saw McGahey on Monday night on the road to Antonio's. He said he was in want of a cup of tea. George Rees saw McGahey come to his house on Monday night, and asked for a supper and bed, saying he' was very hungry. Gave him dry socks, as he was wet, and he had a drink at the bar.. The accused gave him £3 pound notes wrapped in a piece ef newspaper, and asked him to'separate and take payment for three meate, as he wa3 very hungry. He showed him to bed at 10 p.m. He said he would not get up very early, as he was sleepy. About 2 o'clock' he was. sir-; rested and taken to Reefton. On inquiring "where McGahey came from, he said he had been prospecting, but did not say where. He was in a wet, cold, and miserable condition, and did not create' any curiosity in the mind of the witness, because such a thing was a common occurrence in that part.: At tliis stage;of the proceedings Inspector Emerson applied for an adjournment, which . was granted. ,