FARMER'S DEATH

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23968, 19 May 1941, Page 9

FARMER'S DEATH

SEQUEL TO A FIGHT

VERDICT OF THE CORONER (0.C.) WHANGAREI, Sunday An inquest was held by tho coroner, Mr. F. K. Hunt, into the death of Peter Vuletich, farmer, aged -16, married, with four children, of Takahiwai, near Whangarei, who died in Auckland. The inquest had been opened in Auckland and adjourned to Whangarei, as all the witnesses to be heard were from this district. The coroner returned a verdict that Vuletich died on February 19, 1941, as a result of an injury to the head probably received when he was fighting with one of his neighbours on November 1, 1940. Ivan Vuletich, cousin of deceased, recounted what Peter Vuletich had told him of a dispute over a hull with Frank Wilson Marsh, and the resultant fight. Vuletich had alleged that Marsh had hit, him over the head with something which he thought might be a hammer. Constable R. Riinmer, of Waipti, said that when interviewed neither Marsh nor Vuletich would give a written statement or lodge a complaint. Marsh had shown more signs of the fight than Vuletich. Marsh liad asked witness to tell Vuletich to keep his bull from wandering. Constable Rirnmer said that they had said they did not want any further trouble and had shaken hands. Robert Arthur Marsh, son of Frank Wilson Marsh, said that after words had been exchanged Vuletich picked up a stone. Witness said his father had told Vuletich to drop tho stone, and had then hit him. Roth men fell to the ground, and the fight continued until witness caught Vuletich and so allowed his father to rise. Neither he nor his father had hit Vuletich with the hammer, nor had they kicked him. Evidence on similar lines was given by Frank Wilson Marsh. He said that he had not hit Vuletich with anything but his fist.