T a h a :—Three days ago was-with Mr. Hatton in the Segama. Mr.
Hatton fired at an elephant ; hit it twice. Ibrahim and Mr. Hatton
went after i t ; afterwards we all went. Came on dark; Ibrahim remonstrated,
and at last Mr. Hatton returned. I myself saw Mr.
Hatton stoop, brushing the creeper with his rifle; it exploded, and he
(deceased) fell. Boy (Oodin) and Drahim seized him. The gun fell.
Think it was Bulah took it to the boat.
Examined :—What became of the discharged cartridge case 1—I
don’t know; perhaps it was some one threw it o u t; it was dark—all
was confusion.
Jumah relates the same tale. Was close by Mr. Hatton when he
stooped to get under the creeper, raising it with his rifle. The rifle-
ball went so close to him (Jumah) that he felt the wind of it. He
does not know who touched the rifle after it fell.
P o o d e n was in Mr. Beveridge’s boat. Heard report of a gun; went
on shore, found Mr. Hatton dead. Mr. Beveridge ordered me to take
the rifle back to the boat, but not to clean it. I took it- to the
boat. I did not extract the empty cartridge; should not know how
to do it.
(Court adjourned for further evidence expected daily in three boats
now on their way.)
March 7th.—Case resumed; boats having arrived, it is suggested
that one or two of the men be called.
A piece of Mr. Hatton’s singlet, showing evident signs of singing,
is put in evidence.
Dr. W a l k e r s t a te s t h a t t h e p ie c e o f s in g l e t s h o w n i s d i s t in c t ly
s in g e d .
All the jury agree in this also.
D r . W a l k e r says, having heard a theory advanced that perhaps a
man walking in front might have discharged his gun, Dr. Walker now
states that he believes this to be impossible, the direction of the
wound being down and not up, and all the men being shorter than
Mr. Hatton, and that he, the doctor, is clearly of opinion it eould only
have been a gun discharged within three inches of Mr. Hatton’s breast,
and therefore his own, '
Gross-examined:—Is clearly of opinion that such a wound would
cause insensibility as stated.
U n g o n g says he arrived on the scene behind Mr. Beveridge. Mr.
Beveridge told him to assist in carrying the body, and he did so. He
was very sorry. Mr. Hatton was dead when he arrived on the scene.
We all cried. I was with Mr. Hatton a year. We all said, “ Better
we had died than this.” When I arrived, the rifle was standing up
against a tree close by. Always understood that it..was Mr. Hatton’s
own rifie that killed Mr. Hatton. Doesn’t know if any one took out
the empty cartridge.
JURY’S VERDICT.
Jury are of opinion that Erank Hatton came by his death from the
accidental discharge of his rifle on the evening of the 1st of March,,
while returning from elephant shooting at Sugoon Jukol, which is
situated about sixty miles up the Segama River, and about 160' miles
by water from Sandakan, and whilst he was pushing aside a vine with
the aid of said loaded rifle carried in his hand.
The jury much deplore the sudden death of Mr. Hatton, who, as an
explorer and mineralogist, had proved himself of much value to the
British North Borneo Company, and the world generally, and on
account of his many excellent social qualities.
The jury also wish to express their admiration of the conduct of
Mr. Beveridge, who, under the sad circumstances of the case, behaved
in a most self-denying and praiseworthy manner in bringing the body
to Sandakan, without either he or the natives who accompanied him
taking rest night or day. They also wish to express their satisfaction
of the conduct of the natives.
(Signed) G. D. C o l l i n s o n , Foreman.
„ A l e x . C o o k .
„ J a s . S am p so n .
' ' J. M. P a r d o n .
n J. M c L e a n .
„ N. B. W a i t .
, L. E. N e u b r o n n e r .
R. M c E v e n L i t t l e .
n S. W. A l l e n .
,, J. C. R o s s e l l .
„ B. C. d e L i s s a .
E r a n k G ordon W ic k h am .
(Signed; W. B. P r y e r , Coroner.