DIED IN HOSPITAL

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 19733, 30 December 1926, Page 8

DIED IN HOSPITAL

FREEZING WORKS EMPLOYEE ALLEGED FRACAS OUTSIDE HOTEL. MURDER CHARGE FOLLOWS. (Per Press Association). GISBORNE, Dec. 29. Arising out of the death of Robert Thelwall, who was found unconscious on the pavement outside the Record Reign Hotel last evening, and who subsequently died, Garnet Wolseley McMinn, a freezing works employee, was to-day arrested on a charge of murder. It is alleged, that deceased was struck by McMinn. McMinn’s arrest followed on a statement made this morning to Detective McLeod. An inquest was opened before the Coroner, Mr E. C. Levvey, S.M., this morning, formal evidence of idcntilication being given. The inquest was then adjourned sine die, and a postmortem examination in the meantime is to be made of the body. William Guild Thelwall, a brother of the deceased, said that deceased was a single man, 38 years of age, and was a freezing works butcher. He was recently employed at a quarry at Patutahi. His health had always been good. He last saw his brother alive yesterday afternoon, at which time he was sober. His brother had occasionally had liquor, and after having it was not quarrelsome. In fact, if anything, was rather the other way. He had never actually seen his brother drunk. Later in the morning McMinn appeared at the Police Court to answer a charge of having murdered Robert Cecil Thelwall. Detective McLeod asked for a remand until Thursday, January 6, in order to carry out further investigations.

The accused asked for bail. an‘d no objection was made by Inspector Eccles, who, however, asked that in view of the seriousness of the offence it should be substantial. Bail was allowed in two sureties of £250, or one of £5OO, the remand being granted.