A TRAGIC QUARREL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18885, 6 December 1924, Page 10

A TRAGIC QUARREL.

DISPUTE OVER A LEASE.

FARMER SUDDENLY EXPIRES

RESULT OF HEART FAILURE.

NO BLAME ATTACHABLE.

[BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT. ]

MORRINSVILLE. Friday.

A heated argument between two farmers near Morrinsvillo had a tragic ending yesterday, when Duncan Campbell, about. 60 years of age, suddenly collapsed and expired within a few seconds. Campbell was well'known in Morrinsville, where he was responsible for the cutting up of one of the first large subdivisions inside the borough. He leaves a widow and daughter, residing at. Rotorua.

At an inquest held to-day the other farmer, Boy Kelly, said that ho had agreed to lease from Campbell for a few months 20 acres of land adjoining his place. There was a dispute over the period for which the lease was cover, and they had arranged to meet yesterday morning. The meeting took place at Kelly's request on Kelly's property. Campbell had a copy of the agreement, now in the hands of the police, stating that the lease should terminate before Kelly contemplated it would. Campbell was in possession of the original copy of the agreement. During the discussion Kelly irefused to remove his stock from the land before January 20. Campbell then became very excited, and made a, hit with clenched fist at Kelly, who pushed him away. Campbell fell on the grass, and when he got up appeared to cool down. Later on Campbell became very excited, and when he walked away with Beagley, a share-milker, who camo on the scene toward the end of the argument, he .collapsed and expired within a few seconds. Medical aid was summoned from Morrinsville.

Kelly said lie was positive he did not strike Campbell.

Beagley, who had been in Campbell's employ, said that Campbell was at times an excitable man. Before he met Kelly he appeared to be in his usual state of health. Beagley saw his employer go to Kelly's farm about 9.30 a.m., and saw the two men conversing. Later he saw both men throwing their arms about, but was not close enough to see whether blows were exchanged or not. As the argument might end in a fight, Beagley walked down the road, and when he came to the two men Campbell said that Kelly had struck him on the throat. Kelly denied that, saying that he had merely pushed Campbell away. Tho argument continued, and when Beagley thought that an agreement would be reached Campbell asked that Beagley should take him home. Beagley and Campbell walked for a short distance together, and suddenly Campbell fell forward on the ground and died in the presence of both Beagley and Kelly. Medical evidence was given that the cause of death was heart failure. A verdict was returned that deceased died from natural causes, namely, heart failure, aggravated by the excitement of a quarrel, for which no blame could be attached to anyone.