MURDER NEAR REEFTON.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3061, 19 April 1881, Page 3

MURDER NEAR REEFTON.

(BY TELEGRAPH.) Greymouth, April 18. News has reached here from Reefton that a man named Bell, a sort of cockatoo settler, living near Boatman's Creek, was found in his cow-shed with his brains blown out. His murderer is supposed to be one David M'Gahey, alias Yankee Dave. Jealousy is alleged as the cause. Several policemen have been despatched to the scene. The suspected murderer is missing. Reefton, April 18. The name of the murdered man was John Bell, of Larry's Creek, Westportroad. Mr Cereseto called on him on Saturday morning and found him bailing up his cows. Mrs M'Gahey was there, but she left soon after for Reefton. When Cereseto called afterwardsin theafternoon he could make no one hear him, and on going to the cow-shed he found a cow tied up and Bell lying on the ground i with tbe back of his head battered in, the

place bearing evidence of a fearfu struggle. The deceased, in his deatl grip, had clutched a piece of male clothing and human hair. In the morning ' when Cereseto was there, Bell asked hire if he had Been M'Gahey. Cereseto replied that he had not. It is supposed that the murderer crept on Bell unperceived, after Mrs M'Gabey's departure, and struck him on the head. A dozen policemen are scouring the ranges in every direction in search of M'Gahey. Greymouth, April 19. M'Gahey has been captured in the ranges. No further particulars are yet to hand. ______________________