THE PETONE MURDER.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 10707, 1 September 1896, Page 2

THE PETONE MURDER.

INQUEST ON THE BODIES., [per press association.J - ; Wellington, August 31.— The inquest on the body of Jones began at ,11.30 this morning. , James Shore was present in custody, and Mi Wilford appeared as counsel for him. Dr Hislop, who was first called, described the position of the premises and the body, particulars of which have already been published. Jones was lying on his back, and his first impression was, that he had died a natural deathj ana that suddenly. The face was pale, and quite composed, the eyei "almost closed, the mouth slightly open, and a little' of wliat witness todk to be vomit was on the lips: Rigor mortis was well marked, which in T dicat'ei to witness that death* 'occurred from ten to twelve hours previously. This was at 7.45 on Friday morning, when the body was quite cold . On turning thd body over he, found the lack underneath) it saturated with blood, also deceased's coat, in which he found a cut which corresponded with similar cuts in the vest and two flannels underneath. Dr Hislop minutely described the wounds. A number of knives found in the house of Shore were s produced, and one of these, he thought, cbuld produce the wound in the male victim, but as to the female he thought the knife used was a two-edged one. Dr Scanlon was also examined, but the evidenco of both threw no light on the j tragedy beyond the fact that the aged couple had died from wounds inflicted evidently early on Thursday evening, t .Constable Cox, who has .charge of ihe district, was /next examined as to the position of the. bodies, &c, and then, the enquiry idjourned. - The funeral of the victims. took> place this, afternoon, there being ,»> large atten* dance from all parts of tho district. -> > The Premier and • Mrs , Seddon ,'aeni floral tributes. '•:',;!- i i ','.:••) p.- j j The cortege, .which, was headed. by :ihe Salvation Armyißtad, was, veryjlengthyi and the remains were interred: in , the Taifca Cemetery. — - \ The charge agains^ James Shore foj: the murdter of. the Jbnos'e is mot likelj to be gone on with to-morrow, and a .further remand will be asked. i 1 -An' impression prevails in Petone that .Shore's movements :«n: «n the night "the murde^.was committed' will b^'satiafaciexplaineo. ' ;• f _ '■■* \^ ' Win jl {