DEATH AFTER QUARREL.

Taranaki Daily News, 21 September 1920, Page 5

DEATH AFTER QUARREL.

CHARGE OF MANSLAUGHTER. FELLOW-WORKER CHARGEDBy Telepaph.—Press Association. Gisborne, Sept. 20. Alexander Roderick Meßae Williamson, aged 21, was charged in the Police Court with manslaughter by causing the death of Harry Pritchard. He was remanded till the 24th. Gisbome, Last Night. An inquest was held to-day concerning the death of Harry Pritchard, in connection with which Alexander Rae Roderick Williamson was this morning remanded on a charge of manslaughter. Evidence was given that Pritchard returned home at 3 o'clock on September 3rd, with the side of his head swollen. Dr. Scott was called two days later; and .Pritchard was removed to hospital on September 13th. Dr Scott, in evidence, said that Pritchard complained that he could not sleep as a result of a blow on the head. Witness found an extensive blow on the temple. Last Tuesday, Pritchard said the pains in his head were almost unbearable, and witness ordered his removal to the hospital. As a result of a post mortem examination, witness considered death was due to irritation of the brain, which existed/only in a very small degree, and would not jtself have caused death. The immediate cause of death was hemorrhage due to a later injury to the: brain caused by the edge of the fracture. The injuries might have been the result of a blow, or falling on iron.

Evidence by employees of Niven's foundry was given that an apprentice name.d Charles chaffed Pritchard, Pritchard struck Charles, who defended himself. After a scuffle both fell. Pritchard said to Charles: "Both you and your cobber want a hiding." The "cobber" was Williamson. Williamson and Pritchard fought, and Pritchard was knocked down. One witness said that after the fight Pritchard remarked: "I got a crack that time. I don't know whether it was the effect of Rae hitting me, or me hitting, the ground, but my head feels sore." The police gave evidence that Williamson admitted knocking Pritchard down, and said: "I got on to Pritchard for striking a boy named Charles. Pritchard shaped up and made a rush and attempted to strike me, but missed, and I struck him a right cross on the jaw. He got up and rushed me, and caught me by the thigh. The foreman came up and separated us." The Coroner found the following verdict: "The deceased, Harry Pritchard, died on September 19th from cerebral pressure, the result of hemorrhage on the brain, and this injury is traceable to a blow struck on the decease.d's head by Alexander Williamson during a quarrel in Niven's foundry on Friday, September 3rd."