A VERDICT OF WILFUL MURDER. INVERCARGILL, June 30.

Otago Witness, Issue 2677, 5 July 1905, Page 59

A VERDICT OF WILFUL MURDER. INVERCARGILL, June 30.

The inquest on the body of Mary Ann Swan has been proceeding all day. Her husband 'Daniel Swau, 'accused of murdering her, was present in custody. Medical men said that Swan appeared to be quite rational when chey examined him after, tho tragedy. Thai evidence was to tho effect that Swan made the fatal assault ■without the slightest warning or quarrel, the only .words that the daughter Rhodu heard previously being a question iby her father ac to whether Mrs r Swan intended to have a parfcy before their son, who was going to England last Saturday, efcarted. Mrs Swan replied that she " had bran thinking of it. Why did he ask" Rhcda did not hear fcho leply. Soon after accused rose, took the flatiron from the fire, and struck deceased, wlio was sitting darning, with her back to him, a terrific blow on tbe back of the head. After arrest Swan's remarks in the Police Camp indicated that he was jealous of Clai'k, the kidgor, who was young enough to be L-iis wife's ;-x>n. 3?he ■evidence of all the family was emphatically against such statements. Th-e jury returned a verdict of "Wilful murder" against Swan, and commended JRhoda, aged 13 years, for Jior brave attempt to stay her father's attack. The girl is in the hospital with a broken thumb and a soalp wound sustained 111 the struggle. She gave her evidence with gicat clearness.

On Saturday there came into force the new provision of the Licensing Act respectlag -wholesale licenses, which ni&lcos clear the dubious provision that hcldere of this class of license require one for eaoh licensing district in which the firm is established. It has boen olea.r hitherto -that a company must hold such separate licenses, but it has been a moot point in respect of single tradesmen, owing to a looseness in the wording of the section of the act