A NORTHERN TRAGEDY.

Otago Witness, Issue 2809, 15 January 1908, Page 89

A NORTHERN TRAGEDY.

VERDICT OF "WILFUL MURDER." AUCKLAND, January 8. Inspector Cullen has received a telegram from Helensville stating that William Stuart murdered Edward West yesterday afternoon at Kaukapakapa. Stuart has been arrested.

The tragedy was the result of a gumdiggers' quarrel. Stuart, a man about 60, killed West (aged 45) by chopping him with an axe. The cut on the left side of the skull was about sin long by 4in deep. Accused, in a statement to the constable, said that he and 1 West were in a whare. He (Stuart) hact an axe in his hand, chopping weed. West saw some gum in the whare, and said: "You , you did not scrape all your gum." "In a moment," added Stuart, "I chopped him on the head. I saw his eyes opening and shutting, and I knew that he was dead."

A slightly different account of the actual quarrel is given in a telegram sent to Inspector Cullen by Chief Detective Ma-r-sack, who states that the version supplied to him was that Stuart was engaged in chopping wood, and West was looking 'at some gum. West accused him of stealing the gum, and kicked him. Stuart became enraged at the accusation, and at onco ra.sed the axe and struck West on the head, killing him.

The accused will be brought before the Helensville Police Court to-morrow and charged with murder.

January 9. An inquest was held to-day on the body of Edward West, who was killed on Tuesday by an axe blow delivered by William Stuart.

Mrs Elizabeth Shanks deposed that on Tuesday afternoon Stuart came to her house in a very excited state, and said that he had killed West. He seemed quite sensible, but looked as if he had been drinking. She identified the hat produced, which had been clean cut through the crown and was smothered in blood, as the hat usually worn by West. John James Hinds deposed that he was in Mrs Shanks' s house when Stuart arrived. Stuart told him he had murdered West, and asked him to go and see, telling him about the dispute and how the deed was committed. Witness went out to Stuart's camp, and entered the whare. He found an axe covered with blood lying on the middle of the floor, and the body lying on the ground, partly leaning up against a tree. West had a horrible gash in his head and blood over his face, and a pool of blood was on the ground. Constable Tap deposed to arresting Stuart. When he picked up the axe Stuart said : " That is what cut him down," adding that he afterwards dragged the body into the scrub.

The jury found the following verdict: — " That Edward West came by his death through a blow from an axe inflicted by William Stuart, and that William Stuaxt wilfully murdered him."

Stuart was removed to Helensville, where he was brought before Messrs R. M. Cameron and W. R. Tosboke, J.P.'s. On the application of Chief Detective Marsack be was remanded until Friday, 17th inst.

Thomas Goodman, a rural Postman, of Canborne, has just been awarded the Imperial Service medal by the_ King. He has served the postal authorities for over 40 years, and during that time he was only absent 4-2 days on sick leave.

The Federal Minister of Defence is considering a proposal to abolish the wearing 1 of swords by officers, -and it is probable that the Military Board will shortly cancel the regulation requiring officers to possess them. They cost nearly £4.