WORKER’S DEATH

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LII, Issue 16227, 29 December 1926, Page 7

WORKER’S DEATH

SEQUEL TO ALLEGED QUARREL ARREST ON MURDER CHARGE At (ho o’clock last evening, as the result, it is alleged, of ah affray which took place in Gladstone road, outside the Record Reign hotel, a man named Robert Cecil Thelwall, 38, a freezing works butcher, received injuries which resulted in his death. It is stated that Thelwall called another freezing works employee named Grant Wolaeley McMinn from the other side of the road; that a quarrel 'ensued, the outcome of which, it is further alleged, was that McMinn struck Thelwall, who fell heavily to the ground. Tlielwall was carried into the hotel in an unconscious condition, and medical aid summoned. The injured man was immediately ordered to hospital, where he died shortly after 8 pan. The matter was immediately put in the hands of the police, and this morning McMinn, who is employed at Kaitaratahi, went to Detective McLeod and made a statement, following on which he was arrested on a charge of murder. An inquest into the circumstances surrounding the death was opened before the Coroner, Mr. E. O. I.evvev, S.M., at Cook Hospital Unis morning, formal evidence of identification being given. The inquest was then adjourned sine die, and a post-mortem examination will meantime be made of the body. William Guild Thelwall, a brother of the deceased, said deceased was a single man, 38 years of age, and was a freezing works butcher He was recently employed at the quarry at Patutahi. His health had always been good. He last saw his brother alive yesterday afternoon at which time he was sober. His brother had occasionally hud liquor, and j after having it lie was not quarrelsome;! in fact, if anything, he was rather the. other way. lie had never actually seen I his brother drunk. The inquest was then adjourned sine die. Later in the morning Grant Wolseley ( McMinn appeared at the police stat ion j before Mr. F. W. Riach, J.P., to answer! to a charge of having murdered Robert Cecil Thelwall. Detective McLeod asked for a remand until Thursday, January 6, in order to carry out further investigations. Accused asked for bail. No objection to bail was made by Inspector Eccles, who, however, asked that m view of the seriousness of the offence, it should be substantial. Rail was allowed in two sureties of £250, or one of £SOO, the remand being granted.