The Central Glamorgan Gazette, and General, Commercial, and Agricultural Advertiser. — 1867-09-20 (Bridgend, Mid Glamorgan, Wales)

THE ALLEGED MURDER AT CLAPHAM. On Tuesday morning Mr. Carter, the coroner for the eastern &vision of the county of Surrey, resumed an inquiry relative to Use death of Benjamin Groves, aged 43, who, it is alleged, was murdered by Patrick Morgan, in Hand's-court, Dorset-street, Clapham-road, on Sunday week. The inquest was adjourned on the last occasion to afford an opportunity for the production of fresh evidence.  The Clovemor, Mr. Thomas Newman Meet, stated that the net profit on the quarter ending 31s1 August, was £629,072 Hs. 10d., making the amount of rest on that day, £3,617,003 14s. 11d. After providing for a dividend of 44 per cent., the rest would be £3,002,118 14s. lid. He moved that a dividend of 41 per cent., without deduction on account of income tax, be paid. The resolution was. unanimously agreed to. . . . _ .  Charles Syred, police-constable, said that while on duty near the scene of the alleged murder he heard of the occurrence, and proceeded to the house of Patrick Morgan. lie forced the door and arrested Morgan, who, on being told of the charge against him, said, " Ile (the deceased) must•prove it." A penknife whirls lay on the table was pointed out to Blackman, another consteile, who accompanied witness. The accused, referring to the knife, said, "That's not —" (not concluding the sentence). A table knife was subsequently found in a drawer of the table with blood on it, and an apron besmeared with blood.  The Governor stated that the di:tober warrants to dividends would be paid on Friday, the 11th of October next.  Mr. Sebag moved a vote of thanks to the governor and directors, remarking that, although the dividend was a diminished one, the directory, were not to be blamed.  Mr. L. Levy seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously.  The Governor, in acknowledging the compliment, regretted that the dividend was no larger, hut they all knew that the cause VMS the diminished value of the deposits in the bank. He was sure none of the proprietors wished to see a return to what they saw last year, even for the sake of a larger dividend. The proceedings soon afterwards terminated.  Wm. Henry Smith, a gasfitter, deposed that he was passing Hand's-court at a quarter to one on the morning of Sunday week, when he heard a quarrel. He entered the court, and saw a knife in Morgan's hand. Mary Riley, the wife of a labourer residing in Hand'scourt, was next examined. She stated that on the morning of the occurrence she heard Morgan calling out "Mary, Mary." She asked him why he asked for her, and he replied, "I want to stab you." I gave him a slap in the face and said, "You fool, you wouldn't hurt me." My brother came up, and as I was turning about to push him away I saw Groves at my shoulder. I did not see a knife or any other weapon in Morgan's hand. He was very drunk. I saw nothing thrown at Morgan. Groves pushed me out of the way, and I said, "Mr. Groves, you are not wanted," but he went into Morgan's premises. The witness, in answer to a juror, said she was not aware that Morgan's neighbours were in the habit of annoying him by throwing stones at his door. The coroner having read over the evidence given at both inquiries requested the jury to return their verdict A juror said that as it had been proved that the deceased and the accused were on the best terms up to the time of the death of the former, he thought the offence was out of the category of murder committed with "malice aforethought."  The room was then cleared, and after a long deliberation the jury returned a verdict of "Manslaughter against Patrick Morgan."