THE VERDICT

Wanganui Chronicle, Issue 12856, 16 December 1912, Page 5

THE VERDICT

CONSTABLE WADE EXONERATED

(Per Pi-pss Association.)

WAIHI, December 10. The inquiry touching the death, of Evans was concluded yesteraay, before Mr. W. M. Walnutt, Coroner, several further %vitnesses being examined. The Coroner, in reviewing the evidence of the exhaustive inquiry, pointed out. that the scope of the Coroner's Court applied only to the manner and cause of.-death .and, unlike a'judicial proceeding, had no concern with the circumstances apart from these material facts. He then traversed, at length the voluminous evidence adduced, which, went to show that there had not been a pre-concerted plan "on fhe part of the workers to raid the. Waihi Miners' Union Hall on Nov. 12th, .but that their actions in So doing had followed on the discharge of lethal weapons from within. Although statements were not unnaturally conflicting, the weight of evidence went to show that Constable Wade had in the execution of his duty pursued and struck down the deceased, who had previously fired upon him, and was justified'in so doing 'because he had reason to 'believe that his own life and that of others was in danger. The Coroner then stated the legal position as to justifiable homicide, arid after 'a retirement of 40 minutes a verdict was returned as follows: "That the jury were of the unanimous opinion that the deceased, Frederick George Evans, met with death as the result of a, Mow'from a baton delivered by Constable Gerald Wade on the morning of 12th November at the back of the Waihi Miners' Union Hall, Waihi, whilst in the execution of his duty, and that he (Constable Wade) was fully justified in striking the deceased down."