Cross-examined by Foreman:—There was no discharged cartridge
in the rifle. The rifle was loaded in the ordinary way. This (producing'
one) is the identical bullet that was in the discharging
chamber.
Cross-examined by Mr. L ittle :—Wound was nearly horizontal position
; wound slightly below. ,
Cross-examined by Mr. de Lissa:—Think it unlikely Mr. Hatton
(deceased) would have used the lever for reloading the rifle. (Rifle is
a Winchester repeater.)
A n d r e w B e v e r i d g e (sworn) states:—On the 1st of March, about
5 p.m., I 'was going up the Segama River, Sugoon Tukal exact name
of place on the right-hand bank going up Segama. I heard report
of a gun inland while still in gobang. Heard man sing out from the
bank, “ Lekas tuan matee.” I ran as quickly as possible to the spot,
and found Mr. Hatton just breathing his last. Could see that he just
had' breath in him and no more. Gun was on left side of him, muzzle
pointing from him. Men had removed it from where it was before.
Oodin was holding his head up, and Drahim had his arm round his
shoulder. I at once took charge of the gun. I put him into the
gobang and fetched him to Sandakan as quickly as possible, arriving
here about 12, midnight, last night.
Cross-examined by Mr. de Lissa :—Only heard one shot fired from
the time shot was fired until time I arrived on the spot; it might be
from four to five minutes.
Cross-examined by Mr. Collinson :—I did nothing to the gun beyond
taking care of it, and having nothing taken from it. I took no cartridges
out of it, and told the boy not to take any.
Cross-examined by Mr. Cook:—Was the hammer of the gun down 1
I t was. I did not inquire if any cartridges had been taken out of the
gun. It was the gun he always used. There were three other guns
(rifles) there.
Cross-examined by Coroner:—I did not notice if any of the other
guns had been recently discharged. Mr. Hatton was on the best
terms with his men, and there was no reason to suppose any ill-
feeling between them; they would do anything for him. It
was a very open place Mr. Hatton was lying a t ; not much
undergrowth; there was a vine within four feet of h im ; his feet
were towards it. Saw o other people for four days previously.
The men told me Mr. Hatton had been pushing the vine out of his
way with the rifle; that he (deceased) had a gun in each hand. I
examined the vine, and it was marked as though by a gun; it would
have impeded his progress. The abrasion on the vine was below.
The men said the muzzle was on his breast as he fell. (Mr. Beveridge
explains how the men said he (deceased) was carrying the rifle, viz.
with it at the shoulder. He pushed up the vine from below, the
muzzle being slightly free frQm the shoulder, and it Went, off at that
moment. All this is possible as demonstrated.)
D r . W a l k e r (recalled) states :—Thinks it quite possible that the
muzzle was within a few inches of his body at the time of discharge,
and thinks it quite possible the matter might have occurred as
demonstrated. Also wishes to add, wound was such as to cause very
sudden death, as one. at least, if not two main arteries must have been
severed.
Mr. B e v e r i d g e states deceased was in the habit of carrying a stick
with which he brushed vines out of his way as he walked.. The
mark on the vine was about four feet from the ground.
Cross-examined by Mr. de IAssa It was after six o’clock. I left
scene of accident on the 1st of March, and arrived about 11 last
night, fifty-three hours. Came down Segama, one day along sea-
beach ; entered main mouth of Kina Batangan, through Tuisan bahrn,
out of the Mumiang along the sea-shore, into the Bay of Sandakan.
Had eleven men in the small gobang. Did not sleep night or day till
we arrived at Sandakan. Stopped three times, for about half an hour
each time, to cook rice. Should say we were sixty miles up the
Segama. Paddled the whole distance. (Mr. Beveridge complimented
on his conduct in the matter.)
B e e l a h (sworn by Court Interpreter) states :—Were going up the
Segama. I was in a small gobang behind with the cooking utensils.
I vras cook, general assistant, and interpreter. Was in the gobang.
Heard two shots.' Paddled on quickly. Mr. Hatton’s boy came and
said, “ Tuan wants your gun.” I was sick. Boy said, “ You come
too.” Muddy ground. Was told there had been two elephants.
Mr. Hatton told me to come. I said, “ It’s nearly dark ; perhaps the
elephants will hurt us.” Mr. Hatton ordered, lamps, and told two
men to bring them, Hu gong and Jabit. Went quarter of an hour
into the forest. It was growing dark. I said, “ Let us go back.”
Mr. Hatton said, “ Come on; I would rathta;$109 than lose the elephant.”
Dramant said, “ Come back; it’s dark.” Mr. Hatton said,
“ Very well.” I went back to get hot tea and other things. The boy
was behind Mr. Hatton. Mr. Hatton lifted a creeper. Rifle'went
off. Tuan called “ Oodin.” Boy, Draman and myself took hold of
him. I said, “ ‘ Lukas,’ call Mr. Beveridge.” Mr. Beveridge said,
TJ