MANSLAUGHTER AT WANGANUI.

Patea Mail, Volume VIII, Issue 961, 20 November 1882, Page 2

MANSLAUGHTER AT WANGANUI.

0 At the Supreme Court House, Wanganui on Saturday morning, an inquest was held on the body of Charles Frederick Bowes by Mr Borlase, coroner, and a jury of 14 of whom Mr'Broughton was elected foreman, Bowes, it will be rente inhered, died from injuries inflicted on Saturday the 11th inst., by a man named Bichard Thomas. Mr, Hodge appeared to watch the proceedings on behalf of the accused. The jury having viewed the body, the subjoined evidence was taken, Thomas being present, Samuel Wright stated he was a shipping agent and carried on business at Tuupo Quay where he had a wood yard. Both deceased and Thomas were in his employ on the I.lth' inst. The latter ha i been working lor him about fonr years, whilst the deceased had only been in his employ about six months. On the dale in question before going home for his dinner he ordered both men to paint some drays, and on his retnjn he found Bowes inside painting the scales, and Thomas outside cleaning’ the dray, Bowes, on being asked why he was not painting the dray as he had been told, said Thomas had told him not to do so. Witness then went outside, and admonished Thomas for interfering with Bowes. Thomas denied having said anything to Bowes, who then rushed outside and began abusing the accused and “ grabbed him by the nose.” Thomas then struck the deceased on the left temple with the flat side of a pick-handle. Bowes fell.to the ground, but immediately rose and said “ Pul the hose on my head.” Thomas drew some water with which witness bathed deceased’s head. After scolding accused for his hastiness, witness went hack into'the office. About a quarter of an hour afterwards lie returned to the yard, and found deceased apparently asleep. He went near to him, and noticed he smelt strongly of drink. He did not rouse him then, but at five o’clock he went again with: Thomas and shook him, hut could not get him to stand. Witness got Thomas to take the deceased borne in a dray. That evening and the next morning he went to see Bowes, who was much in the same state os when he was taken home. On the latter occasion, he advised Mrs Bowes to get a doctor. Witness gave Thomas s very good character, and stated that during the time Bowes had been in his employ, he had been drunk several times.

Dr Tripe stated that on Monday he was called in to see deceased who was unconscious at the time. He was suffering from an injury to his head. Witness attended him (ill his death on Friday. Witness, together with Dr Connolly, had made a post mertem examination of the head, and found that on removing the skull cap the entire right hemisphere of the brain was covered with dark blood. On opening the outer membrane about 4 ounces of clotted blood escaped between the right side of thebraiu. The inner membrane showed examining the left hemisphere, congestion was also apparent, though in a less degree. Witness attributed death to injuries, the result of a blow on the head. The last witness’ testimony was corroborated by Dr Connolly. The Coroner, in summing up, pointed out the distinction between murder and manslaughter, and stated it was his opinion that the accused was guilty of the latter offence.

After a short deliberation the jury returned a verdict of manslaughter against the accused, and he was accordingly committed for trial at the next session of the Supreme Court, bail being allowed in his own recognisance of £2OO and two sureties of £IOO each.