TRAGEDY IN CHRISTCHURCH.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5550, 23 February 1886, Page 3

TRAGEDY IN CHRISTCHURCH.

Fatal Result of a Quarrel. Exaggerated Rumours. This forenoon, the City was filled with a rumour, giving details more or less horrible, of a murder said to have been committed in Tuam street west. The rumour was, as usual, immensely exaggerated, the real circumstances being as follows : — A Mr John Midgley,who occupied a cottage mext door to that of Mr John Taylor, of the firm of Messrß Taylor and Oakley, this morning began to put up a very unsightly fence, consisting of packing cases that had been used for corrugated iron, to separate his front gnrden from his neighbour's. About 11 o'clock Mr Taylor spoke to Midgley, asking him why he put up auch an ugly fence as that ? Mr Midgley replied, "It is good enough for you." Mr Taylor expostulated, suggesting that it would have been wise of Midgley to Lave first spoken to him about the fence. Mr Midgley replied that it would have been no good speaking, as he had once previously spoken to Mr Taylor about a dog, and Mr Taylor had taken no notice of what was .said. Mr Taylor denied the truth of this, Assuring Mr Midgley that the dog had been put on the chain at once, according to his wish. Mr Midgley retorted that the dog Jbad.been off the chain during the absence of Mr Oakley. This Mr Taylor admitted, saying that he knew tho dog had broken the chain once or twice, but urged that the Animal had been again fastened up as soon *c he could be found. Mr Midgley then •went upon his own ground. Mr Taylor then said he would not allow that ugly thing to remain there, and attempted to push down some of the fence. Deceased came upon Mr Taylor's ground, and several blows were struck. Mr Oakley, who just then came up in a cart, interfered, and separated the men; but they quickly closed again with each other, and some more blows had been interchanged, when suddenly deceased staggered and fell <«n his face ; in his fall striking his head Against the wooden edging of the asphalt footpath in Mr Taylor's garden. Mr Oakley said there must be something the matter. Mr Taylor ran off for Dr Nedwill, and knocked several times at his door, but getting no reply, ran for Dr Prankish ; but on passing deceased's house noticed that Dr Patrick was already there. He then went straight to the Police station, and gave himself into custody. Shortly aftor Dr Patrick's arrival, Mr Midgley expired without having made any statement. Mr Taylor is evidently very much cut up at the untoward event. What the cause of Mr Midgley's death web cannot be positively said until a post mortem examination has been made. The police say that the only injury appavont iB a slight bruise or graze on the face, probably caased by the fall on the wooden-edging of the asphalt footpath. An inquest will be held. I It may be interesting to state, as showing how grossly things of this sortare sometimes exaggerated, that two distinct accounts of the transaction reached this office, both affirming that a murder had been committed, but one giving the lethal weapon aa a sledge-hammer and the other as a spado.] [ LATER. J Mr Oakley states that Mr Midgley Was neither knocked nor pushed down by Mr Taylor, as ho was standing soire few feet from the latter, when ho fell. Ho was, it appears, about 50 years old, and of late his health has been occasionally bad. By occupation he mia a Blator.