Individual Details

Emigration

Vessel: Java

Death

Fatal Scuffle.
[Per Press Association.] WANGANUI, Jan. 8. • News has reached town of the death of William Kells, storekeeper, at Waitotara. It appears that Kells had a scuffle with a Maori in his shop and that half an hour afterwards he died of heart disease. There is a report that the Maori struck Kells several times with a 4lb weight, but this lacks confirmation. The police are inquiring into the matter.

The Waitotara Affair.
[Per Press Association] WANGANUI, Jan. 9. "At the inquest yesterday, on William Kells, storekeeper of Waitotara, the verdict was one of "Death from natural causes, accelerated by the excitement of being assaulted by a Maori."

Sudden Death at Waitotara.
MR WILLIAM KELLS DEAD. On Monday afternoon, at 4 o'clock, Mr Wm. Kells, of the Waitotara store, died it is supposed, from heart disease. It is reported that the deceased had a dispute with a Maori in the store, which ended in a struggle, the exoiteexcitement of which had a bad effect on Mr Kells, who shortly afterwards dropped down dead. Constable Lister proceeded from Waverley to make an inspection, and reports that he found marks on Kells' head, but he does not know whether they were made by blows or not. It was decided that an inquest be held, and Dr Tripe proceeded to Waitotara yesterday afternoon for that purpose.