THE REEFTON MURDER.

Tuapeka Times, Volume XIV, Issue 732, 30 April 1881, Page 3

THE REEFTON MURDER.

(Per Press Association.)

Gbetmouth, April 27th. The adjournod inquest was resumed on Monday, and a number of other witnesses were examined. The following are the principal points of the evidence given which throw any additional light upon the mystery.

Albert Bennett said that when the warrant was taken out against Bell by M'Gahey the Litter said he would knock Bell's brains out with a piece of iron if he said anything to him. He said that to Bell several times, and the witness stepped between them and pushed M'Gahey back, telling M'Gahey he ought to know better. He was violent. Th=n on the 15th, while on his way to Boatman's Creek, M'Gahey said, "If anybody asks you have you seen me, say you have not." Witness told him to come no farther if ho did not want to be seen. He shook hands and parted, and had not seen M'Gahey since until meeting him in Court on the morning of the next day. He heard the report of a gun, and afterwards saw the body of Bell with a wound on the back of his head and another under his right ear. His eyes were closed, swollen up, and discoloured. He searched the place for shot marks, but could find none. It was after M'Gahey spoke of the summons Mrs M'Gahey had taken out agaiust him that he asked witness not to mention his whereabouts. He thought his conduct strange.

William Campbell said that when M'Gahey was telling him his troubles he said, " Campbell, as sure as God is my Judge, I will shoot the pair of them." He told M'Gahey to clear out and have nothing to do with them. He told Bell M'Gahey would shoot him. He mentioned what M'Gahey said to other people. He did not hear him make use of threats at any other time.

John M'Gaffin said that at M'Gahey's request, he took possession of the latter's place, who said that in consequence of a quarrel with his wife, he was going to leave the place. He attempted to make peace between them but failed. He had apprehended violence between M'Gahey and Bell, and advised M'Gahey to leave the district, and on two or three occasions he promised to do so. He told him that his wife would be a good riddance, and that, he would assist him to get work in Christchurch or Dunedin if he went. M'Gahev replied, " When Ido interfere with Bell, I shall not want you or anyone else to bail me." Witness said, " I presume you are going to comrr>it murder, and after this I shall have no more to say to you." He also said, " I think you are out of your mind, and ought to be arrested as unfit to be at large." The police ha-1 to keep M'Gahey from assaulting Bell, when the search-warrant was being executed at Bell's. In consequence of what M'Gahey said, witness warned Bell, he apparently having lost co"trol of himself. He had to go between M'Gahey and Bell several time?. M'Gahey, on one or two occasions, said he would rou3e Bell and his wife out of thut — that he would not submit to his house being burnt down, and he being a wanderer over the earth, whilst they were living together, and that he would hare satisfaction. He was surprised when lie heard of the murder, as he thought the desire for revenge had worn off.

John Stuart said he saw M'Gahey's bushmade ramrod picked up near Bell's cowshed, out of the mud. He described the ramrod minutely, and had no doubt in swearing to it. John HarL said the ramrod was found covered up with mud, and was discovered by one of the men treading on one end. Charles Lyon said that in January last, when talking to M'Gahey, the latter said, "If I could think that Bell and my wife are co-habiting, I would blow the pair of them to hell, if I should be hung for it." Witness said, " David, do you mean to say you have not seen the carryings-on of these two this while back ? He said he declared to his God that he had not. He said, '' I can see it all now." He also said, when speaking of being hanged that he would smile at them as they were putting the rope round his neck.

Witness in reply to accused said : I said to John Bell and Mrs M'Gahey on the day of the inquiry into the fire at M'9-ahey's house, when they were both sitting on a log together, that if they thought they could itop in peace and comfort they were mistaken, and if M'Gahey came back, God help them. I said to you that you would travel on your hands and knees from the other side of the Island to have revenge if you knew the way your wife and Bell were carrying on. When M'Gahey was shoeing a horse for witness he wanted some more nail?, and asked me to go into the house for them. I popped rather quickly into the kitchen, and as I did so, M'Gahey's wife rose as it were off Bell's knee at a seat at the fire. I told M'Gahey this on the day I went to fetch the things for the Police from Bell's place. Patrick Quinn, Alex. King, and Alfred Silcock also gave evidence.

The Jury, after retiring for upwards of two hours, found "That John Bell met his death on April 16th, 1881, at Larry's Creek, having been killed by a blow on the back of the head, and that the blow was .struck by David Charles M'Gahey." The verdict was the verdict of 1§ of the jury— G; W. Brown, R. J. Scottaok, and Adam Rq S g n qt poncurring in it.

M'Gahey was remanded till Monday ne*t, when he will be charged with the murder ftf John Bell M'Gahey will leave Greymouth for. Hokitika to-morrow morning,

LAND IN CULTIVATION, AND THE AGRICULTURAL PRODUCE THEREOF, IN THE COUNTY < OF TUAPEKA, FOR THE YEAR ENDING APRIL, 1881. 'The following tabulated statements have been kindly placed at our disposal by E. H. Carew, Esq., Census Enumerator. The detailed statement for the present year ■ will prove interesting as showing the exact position of settlement in the various Ridings of the County of Tuapeka. It will be observed that there has been a considerable falling-off in the produce of oats in the County during the past year — some 70,000 bushels ; while the increase in ■ wheat is estimated at 85,000 bushels. Several other marked changes will be noticed by a glance at the comparative statement furnished below :—: — In Oats. In Sown Ghasses. Numbers of Holdings. Extent of Land Broken up bdt not under crop. In Wheat. In Barmy, In Potatoes. In Garden OR Orchard. In QUANTITT OF LAST YEAR'S CROP REMAINING ON HAND WHEN FORM WAS FILLED UP. In Turnips Total Numbers of C©tna3sr<or Tuapeka— Sob-Districts. Part Kented Part Freehold Total Numbers op Holdings. Acres Estimated (sown for Gross Produce Grain only.) (in bushels) Acres. Estimated Gross Produce of Grain (in bushels.) Acres (sown for Grass only. Estimated Gross Produce (in bushels) Acres. IN HAT. Estimated Gross Produce in tons. In Grasses after having been broken up (including such as in Hay.) Grass-sown Lands not previously ploughed (including such as in Hay.) Estimated Gross Produce (in tons. Acres under Crop excluding Sown Grasses, Plantations op Forest Trees. Freehold Rented. For Green Food or Hay. For Grain. Acres. Wheat (bushels) Oats (bushels) Barley (bushels.) Acres. Acres. Acres. Acres. Acres. Acres. Lawrence and Gabriels Biding . . . "Waipori Riding Browns Biding Beanmunt Ridin? Roxburgh and Teviot Riding ... Tapanni Riding and Borough ... James Riding... WaitahunaW aitahuna Riding Clarks Riding 55 2 56 27 32 34 24 19 5 25 2 20 6 36 9 3 8 1 21 7 9 3 11 15 13 68 3 102 19 56 41 81 48 35 14 200 2,844 351 41 935 773 532 398 55 2,197 139 337 1,420 2,441 417 213 1,570 63,712 4,395 12,509 42,335 81,634 11,752 5,283 122 23 101 74 260 234 125 58 26 104 60 1,318 336 320 739 1,858 1,305 603 3,435 3,000 48,844 14,775 14,410 38,715 89,955 46,870 20,700 26 4 13 103 58 35 680 116 470 3,372 2,031 865 30 '"87 25 59 41 140 69 51 "154 31 48 52 114 55 485 370 2,559 663 796 5,265 4,187 3.012 1,728 165 "Y6 360 940 14 58 3,010 i 46 3 > 124 i 23 > 52 23 99 66 36 199 4 401 125 229 318 509 302 147 33 90 640 308 227 4,153 2,860 219 607 25 48 81 23 44 10 389 377 4,428 906 1,236 6,605 7,537 2,146 1,531 5 2 1 6 26 16 2 5 30 1,100 400 2,030 30 120 310 2,906 120 2,050 7,340 11,810 3,940 4,730 36 1,100 50 2,660 916 40 I — — — 259 106 88 453 5,888 7,223 223,190 1,023 6,643 280,704 I 239 7,534 452 i 505 I 17,065 2,617 I 472 I 2,035 9,137 203 24,959 63 I 3,710 33,206 4,802 378 426 372 COM PA! ATIVE TATEMEI T OF U ND IN ( ULTIVATION AND AC RICULTU AL PROE UCE THEI EOF FOF THE ' THREE PRE lOUS Yl ARS. 15,708 18,965 24,205 1160 17,868 7,088 2,770 14,336 33,125 30 80 140 ) 1878 County of Tuaikek v. > 1879 ) 1880 141 185 133 147 320 104 94 53 I 3,981 3,176 5,908 3,107 3,667 3,682 110,192 123 510 137,814 428 867 1,190 5,823 7,259 8,694 227,908 289,359 350,007 168 265 506 5,085 7,017 18,035 I 1,544 680 1,199 526 715 2,141 8,462 9,576 13,445 3,928 2,266 4,780 1447 I 411 I 423 i 2,160 2,135 1,845 4,191 5,81(5 8,511