A FATAL "KNOCK-OUT."
A SUNDAY AFFAIR
[Per Press Association.]
Hokitika, July 7
By a fatal affray at Harihari, South Westland, yesterday, Ronald Adamson, 30, son of Hugh Adamson, lost his life. As a result of a quarrel on Friday night, deceased and Samuel Godfrey, about 25, had a stand-up fight on Sunday, during which Godfrey knocked Adamson down. He is supposed to have struck his head on a stone, rendering him unconscious. He did not regain consciousness, and when a doctor arrived from Ross he declared that Adamson had been dead some hours. The police are investigating. -Stratford Evening Post, 7/7/1913.
Mr J. G. L. Hewitt, District Coroner, and Inspector Phair left last night, en route to Hari-Hari (South Westland), where an inquest is to be held into the circumstances surrounding the death of Ronald Adamson. -Greymouth Evening Star, 8/7/1913.
MANSLAUGHTER CHARGE
HOKITIKA, 9th July.
An inquest was held yesterday touching the death of Ronald Adamson, who died after a quarrel at Harihari, South Westland, on Sunday. After hearing evidence the Coroner brought in the following verdict: —
"That death resulted from concussion of the brain caused by severe force applied to the back of the head, as though caused by a fall."
Subsequently, a young man named S. J. Godfrey was brought before the Court on a charge of manslaughter, and was remanded to appear at Hokitika on Tuesday. Bail was allowed. -Evening Post, 10/7/1913.
The funeral of the late Ronald Adamson took place yesterday, the remains being interred in the Greymouth Cemetery. The services were conducted in a very impressive manner by the Very Rev. Dean Carew and the large concourse of mourners present at the obsequies bore testimony to the sincere sympathy felt for Mr H. Adamson and the other relatives in their bereavement, which had overtaken them under such sad and tragic circumstances. -Greymouth Evening Star, 10/7/1913.
SETTLING A QUARREL.
SEQUEL TO A DANCE.
A FIGHT AND A FATALITY.
At the inquest which was held at Harihari on Tuesday concerning the death of Ronald Adamson (says a Greymouth report) it transpired that there had been some unpleasantness caused during the dancing of a "set" at Harihari on the Friday night over a partner. In consequence of this and from subsequent happenings of a pugilistic nature on the same night, arrangements were entered into between the deceased and S. J. Godfrey to "fight it out" on the Sunday morning.
From the evidence it appears that the deceased, together with about 20 others, assembled at the school grounds and sent for Godfrey, who lived four miles away, asking him to meet the deceased and have it out. On the arrival of Godfrey both men took off their coats and shook hands. Some of the onlookers, together with Godfrey, asked "How are they going to have it — in rounds or to a finish?" Deceased, who said he would '"fight to a finish, dead or alive," struck the first blow, and the fight commenced. After they had fought for about two minutes, the deceased went down on his knees. He got up again and continued the fight. A minute or two later Godfrey delivered a swinging blow, which struck deceased on the head. He fell, striking his head heavily on the ground, and became unconscious. The deceased was taken to his uncle's accommodation house, and the doctor was sent for from Ross. The doctor arrived at between 8 and 9 o'clock on the Sunday night, but found that the young fellow had been dead 15 or 20 minutes prior to his arrival.
By direction of the Coroner the doctor made a post-mortem examination, and in his evidence stated that the cause of death had been a clot of blood on the brain, which could have been caused by a blow or a fall, although there were no external marks on the particular part of the head where the clot was found. -Auckland Star, 15/7/1913.
HOKITIKA MAGISTRATE'S COURT
TUESDA JULY loth.
A CHARGE OF MANSLAUGHTER.
(Before Mr. J. G. Hewitt, S.M.)
Samuel John Godfrey was charged with unlawfully killing Ronald Adamson at Hari Hari on July 6th, under circumstances amounting to manslaughter. Inspector Phair appeared for the police and Mr. Wells for the accused.
Evidence was given as follows:
Hawthorn Hugh Adamson, storekeeper of Hari Hari, deposed. The deceased, Ronald Adamson, was his brother. About 11 o’clock on Sunday, July 6th, saw deceased and accused near his store. About fifteen others were present. Knew they were there for a light. Told his brother when the crowd were gathering round that he had better let the matter drop. But he did not answer. They shortly afterwards went down towards the school grounds, half a mile away.
Witness followed down later on horseback. When he arrived he saw his brother and Godfrey fighting. Did not see many blows exchanged. Could see both men were done, and soon after his arrival saw his brother drop. He fell in a heap, but he got up, and then after continuing the fight, again he fell a second time, straight back. He did not know what caused the fall or what part of the deceased first struck the ground. Witness was excited at the time. Where deceased fell was on the side of the school building facing the river. The ground was smooth but very hard. Deceased did not get up. Went to see what was the matter with him, and spoke to him but did not receive any answer. Then helped to carry him into the school and laid him down. Opened his clothes and did what they could for him for an hour and then took him in a cart to Mr. John Adamson’s house and laid him on a bed.
After arriving there, his brother, with assistance, sat up in bed and vomited and then laid back on the bed. He thought the ride in the trap had improved him but deceased did not recover and remained unconscious until he died about 8.30 that night. Rang up the doctor at Ross about 2 o’clock who arrived about ten minutes to nine that night.
Witness did not know from his own knowledge, what was the cause of the fight. There were between twenty-five and thirty present at the fight. Did not know of any ill-feeling existing between deceased and accused prior to the affair.
To Mr. Wells: His brother was not in bad health at the time. His brother was a determined fellow, and not likely to take the advice of any one, but to go his own way. Before the last fall both men seemed to he done.
Jens Jensen Hende, labourer, of Hari Hari, deposed: He was at the dance at Hari Hari Hall on July 4th. Deceased and accused were there. On Sunday heard there was to be a fight. Went to the school ground about 11.30 a.m. Saw Godfrey and deceased and several others there. The two men agreed to fight there and took off their coats. The crowd formed a ring. Godfrey asked what it was to be, rounds! Adamson replied: “A fight to a finish.” They then shook hands. Ronald Adamson asked someone to see fair play. After several were asked to act and refused, Charles Davey finally agreed to act as referee, after refusing six or seven times.
The men then shook hands and commenced the fight. Did not know who struck the first blow. Saw a number of blows struck. During the progress of the fight Ronald Adamson overbalanced and went down from a blow on the side of the head, not a knock-out blow. The deceased fell on his back. A couple of the onlookers helped him up. He was all right after the first fall. The fight was resumed. Several blows were struck by both men and Adamson went down again, with a blow past the right ear, a glancing blow. It was a hit heavier than the blow that caused the fall. They were square on at the time. The deceased fell slightly on the right side of his shoulder, striking the ground before his head.
There were no stones about, but the ground was very hard and fairly dry. Heard a thud when deceased fell. He seemed to be out. They gave him air and fanned him. They left him there for a while and then carried him into the school and sat him on a form with his back against the wall. He was in the school for half an hour. He did not speak.
After half an hour in the school they put deceased on a mattress, and worked his arms a little. Did not hear him speak during the 1 1/2 hours he was there. They then took him away in a cart.
Did not hear any attempt to stop the fight after the first time that Adamson went down. The fight lasted for about 4 1/2 minutes. Heard a groan when deceased fell the second time, a sound as if he was trying to get his breath.
To Mr Wells — He did not think the blow that knocked Adamson down tire second time was hard enough to do so unless he was off his balance. The fight was a perfectly fair one. The men appeared to he friendly on the way down to the school. The deceased did not look to be in good health before the fight.
Alexander Jamieson, settler of Hari Kari deposed — On Sunday, July 6th, Mr Davey came to witness and said that as he was coming past Adamson’s store some men called out to him to tell Mr Godfrey that Mr Adamson was waiting for him at Adamson’s store. Witness then went into the house and told Godfrey. Godfrey said he did not want to go down as he did not want to have any more to do with the row. Godfrey then said if he did not go down they would call him a coward. Godfrey was in bed at the time. He then got up and after dressing went to the store. Witness also went down. After some time he saw Godfrey and deceased talking together and the latter asked Godfrey — “Are you ready.” Did not hear Godfrey reply. Heard deceased propose to go down the road. They all went together. They did not pick any place to go to till they got to the school when Adamson said we will go in here and they all went in after the two men. They chose a place so that the school obscured the view from the main road. The ground was pretty hard. Witness suggested some one to see fair play be appointed. Several were asked to act, but declined, and ultimately Charles Davey said he would see fair play. They shook hands and shaped up. The deceased struck the first blow, hitting Godfrey on the cheek. They exchanged blows and had only been fighting a few moments when Adamson fell on his knees. He thought the fall was caused by want of condition. He did not notice any particular blow to send Adamson to his knees. He got up again and they had a rally and a clinch and Mr Davey separated them. They then continued when Godfrey hit Adamson on the side of the right cheek. The latter appeared To give way at the knees and fell heavily on his back with his head down hill, the body and head striking about the same time. The ground was gravelly and hard. Adamson did not get up and some present lifted him and tried to bring him to, afterwards carrying him into the school. They bathed his face and head with water and loosened his clothing. He seemed to got a little better, but did not speak, breathing very heavily. A little later he was taken in a cart to J. Adamson's.
To Mr Wells — On the Saturday before the fight Adamson and witness I were talking during dinner at the protection works, when deceased referred to the trouble between him and Godfrey. Witness told him had better settle it, but deceased replied no, he would fight him to a finish. Godfrey walked 3 1/2 miles from witness’ house to where the fight took place. The last blow of the fight did not strike hard enough to knock a man down. The deceased seemed exhausted and out of form. At the beginning of the tight Adamson had the best of it and punished Godfrey, hut later became exhausted.
AFTERNOON SITTING.
The Court resumed at 2.30 p.m.
Alexander Askew, labourer at Hari Hari, deposed — On Sunday, July 6th, at Jamieson's boarding house, he was present when Davey came with a message that Godfrey was wanted at Adamson’s store. Witness gave the message to Godfrey who was just up. He said at first, "I won’t go,” and then he said he had better go or they would call him a cur. Witness told him to please himself, but he would not fight unless it was compulsory. Went with Godfrey to the store. When there heard Adamson ask Godfrey where he was going to have it. Godfrey replied: “Just as you like.” They then decided to go down the road. Witness corroborated the evidence as to the procedure before the fight, stating that in reply to an enquiry as to how the fight was to take place. Adamson replied— To a finish, dead or alive. Godfrey did not say anything. Witness thought that the fall was occasioned partly by slipping and partly by a blow. When deceased first fell he went down on his knees and hands. Did not think Adamson was assisted up. Shortly afterwards deceased again fell. About two minutes had elapsed since the first fall. Could not say what caused the second fall. A blow had been delivered on accused’s face and immediately after the latter fell. Do not think the force was sufficient. Adamson appeared to collapse, his knees giving way and his head went straight back. Witness thought that as far as he could see, that deceased’s head struck the ground first. Deceased fell very heavily and made no attempt to get up. The formation of the ground was very hard. Heard accused groan after he fell. Witness then endeavoured to retsore animation by moving Adamson’s arm. Spoke to deceased but received no answer. Adamson then appeared to be unconscious. There seemed to be little strength in his arms. Continued moving the arms without any good results. Adamson was then carried to the verandah of the school. At that time he was breathing heavily. No attempt was made to stop the fight on Friday night prior to the fatality when deceased had hit Godfrey. This occurred outside the Public Hall on the road. Did not know of any reason why Adamson should have hit accused. Deceased had offered to fight Godfrey for L5 or L50 any time the latter liked. At the time Adamson made the statement both men were a little the worse for drink. Witness was satisfied that ill-feeling existed on Adamson’s part right up to the time of the fatal fight. Did not think that such was the case as far as Godfrey was concerned. On the day before the Sunday witness had asked Adamson to let the matter drop, but deceased refused. The two men were quite sober on the Sunday morning when the fight took place.
Cross examined by Mr. Wells: Did not think that the second fall was occasioned by the blow. Adamson urged on the fight all the time. Godfrey did not do so. Adamson was a hot headed and determined man.
Doctor deposed, he was called to Hari Hart on Sunday 6th inst. Deceived the message in the afternoon between 2.30 and 3 o’clock. Arrived at Hari Hari at 8.45 and made a superficial examination of the body of deceased. There were small abrasions on the face; one on the chin and another on the right cheek, also one on the neck. The abrasions may have been the result of some force applied to the face. Witness saw no swelling or colouring round the abrasions. These were the only injuries he observed. Held a postmortem examination on Tuesday 8th July. Deceased’s lungs and heart were found to he healthy, the liver was flabby and the other organs normal. On opening the skull cap on the right side witness found a clot of blood under the coverings of the brain. There was no fracture of the skull, which was of normal thickness. Hemmorhage under the coverings of the brain caused compression of the brain. The conditions were caused by a blow on the exterior. Could have been caused by a fall. It was manifest that the injury had been recent and could not have been the result of natural causes.
Cross examined by Mr. Wells: Witness was of opinion that the life of deceased could not have been saved if a medical man had been in attendance from the outset. Considered that the abrasions were not caused by heavy blows, but was of opinion that these were sufficient to knock a man off his legs according to the way he was standing. Do not think the result would have been the same if some force had not been used.
Constable Cruickshank deposed, he arrived at Hari Hari between 6 and 7 a.m. on the 7th inst. After giving corroborative evidence witness here detailed the circumstances which led up to the arrest of Godfrey. On going into the bedroom where accused was in bed the latter said, “I suppose you have come to take me.” Witness replied. “Yes, I must take charge of you. I suppose you know what for.” Accused replied, “Yes I expected it; I know all about it.” Witness then asked Godfrey to get up and get dressed. After accused had had breakfast witness took him to Adamson’s. Accused asked witness how he stood and witness replied that he was charged with manslaughter in the meantime and that he would be detained until further inquiries were made and the inquest was over.
Cross examined by Mr. Wells: Godfrey appeared to be very much cut up about the affair.
This closed the case for the prosecution.
Mr. Wells submitted that there was no case against the accused and he asked his Worship to dismiss the case. He that if the case were sent to the higher court the jury would throw it out.
His Worship: “That may be so, but what I have to do is to decide whether there is a prima facie case of manslaughter.” Under the circumstances he was very sorry for the young man but like grand juries and common juries he had his duty to perform and said that there was nothing for him to do but to commit accused for trial.
Accused pleaded “not guilty” in answer to the charge and said he had nothing to say. He was committed to take his trial at the next sessions of the Supreme Court at Hokitika. Bail was fixed at £300. Accused in £100 and two sureties, Messrs Jones and McIntosh, £100 each. -West Coast Times, 15/7/1913.
At his trial Godfrey was found not guilty of manslaughter.
Karoro Cemetery, Greymouth. {Photo from "findagrave."
