NED SKIPPER’S DEATH.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 81, 18 November 1911, Page 5

NED SKIPPER’S DEATH.

INQUEST YESTERDAY AT NEW PLYMOUTH.

A VERDICT OF SUICIDE

An inquest was held at the New Plymouth Court-house yesterday, before Mr. H. S. Fitzherbert, S.M., Coroner, concerning the death of the native Eruera Kipa, otherwise Huiroa, commonly known as Ned Skipper, whose body was found hanging from a tree on Thursday afternoon. Herbert Claude Bishop, a lad employed by Mr. Arthur Locke on his farm at Smart Road, deposed to finding the body, in company with a lad named Syd. Style. He identified the body by a cardigan jacket lying alongside.

William Joseph Ingley, a farmer living on Smart Road, gave evidence that on Sunday, October 8, deceased, in the course of a conversation, told him that he felt worried. In reply to a question, ho said that in consequence of ins wife’s will another native had an interest in the farm that he (Skipper) occupied, ana that this native, wiiose name witness understood was Tonga, had threatened to turn him out of tiie place. Witness could nob say if his fears' wore well founded. He said that if lie were forced to leave ne did not know where he would go. On a later date lie asked witness what it would cost him for being found on licensed premises and whether they would imprison him. Witness told him he thought they would probably fine him £l, but would not imprison him. At ten minutes past four on the morning of Thursday, October 12, witness got- up, and after having something' to eat, went out and caught his mare. He then saw Skipper standing at the junction of Smart Road and the road leading to his house, about three and a half chains from where witness was standing. He recognised deceased from his characteristic attitude and from his carrying a walking stick. ’Witness whistled to attract his attention, but he took no notice. Witness expected that he would overtake Skipper if he were going down Smart Road. That was tiie last occasion on which he saw him alive. Arthur William Locke, a farmer residing at Smart Road, deposed that ho occupied a farm adjoining that of the deceased Edward Skipper, whom he know very well, and he identified the body now at his late residence as that of Skipper. On Monday, October 9, he came and asked witness where his gun was, as he wanted to borrow it to shoot quail. Witness told him ho would put it in the corner of tho harness shed, where he could find it if he wanted it. The gun was taken from there, but witness did not know by whom or when, except that ho missed it about four or five days after. Ho was with the party the previous day that cut the body down-and brought it out of the bush, and he identified tho gun found close to the body as his. When tho gun was found it was empty. On Wednesday, October 11, witness said that Tonga visited Skipper and that they had a big talk over the farm,, and Skipper said that Tonga was coming to build a house straight in front of his. He seemed displeased about it, thinking that they/ would not agree. .Skipper gave witness to understand that the property did not belong to him, and that he would have to clear out. That was worrying him. Ho seemed also worried about the prosecution ponding for his being found in the Breakwater Hotel.

Constable Boulton, stationed at Fitzroy, deposed that he last saw Skipper alive about a quarter to one on the morning of October 12 at the Fitzroy Hall at a dance. Witness was talking to him, and they were discussing the prosecution., pending against him 1 . ‘. Witness told him the matter was not a very serious one, and he said he did not want the summons interpreted into Maori, as it would save expense. He Mid not seem very much worried about it, and seemed in good spirits. Senior-Sergeant Dart deposed that he knew the deceased, against wJiom lucre was a prosecution pending for being found on a Sunday on licensed premises. Ho was reported to the police as missing on Tnursday, Octooer 12, and since then a very careful search had been made on numerous occasions in the Smart Road locality. Enquiries had also been made in other parts of the Dominion. Witness went on Thursday with Constables Boulton and Egan to the bush on Mr. Arthur Locke’s farm. The bush had been previously searched by a party of seven or eight, but the portion in which the body was found was much secluded among a thick growth of busn, and it would he very easy to miss it unless one came actually on the body. They found deceased hanging from a scout branch of a tree by the neck, the lower portion of the body being on the ground. Ho was hanging by an ordinary plough line, and the portion of the line not used was carefully coiled up and laid on the branch over his head. His cap was also lying beside him. His boots and cardigan jacket had been taken off and were found lying close to the body. The gun mentioned was also found close to the body. It was empty, and in his pocket was found one cartridge. A piece of string was found attached to one of the triggers. The body was removed to his place of residence. Ho appeared to have been dead about live or six weeks.

A verdict was returned that deceased came to his death on or about October 12, 1911, by reason of his having hanged himself hy the neck from a tree on the property of Arthur William Locke.—“ News.” ,