SUSPECTED MURDER AT THE BULLER.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 8, Issue 401, 9 August 1866, Page 3

SUSPECTED MURDER AT THE BULLER.

(From the Nelson Colonist, 31st July.) One day last week the body of a man was found in the Buller, and the appearances it presented lead strongly to the belief that the person has been murdered, and suspicion appears to attach to a person named Frederick Deckman, a German, who was apprehended at the Buller on a charge of “ sticking up ” a man named Johnstone at the Saddle, that is, as we understand it, the Inangahua Saddle ; as by evidence of several persons at the Buller who saw the body, it is declared to be that of a man who was the mate of this Deckman, particularly as we are informed that Deckman had previously told some diggers contradictory stories respecting his mate. The body appears to have been apparently three weeks in the water. There was a large wound on the head between the brow and the back of the head, into which two fingers could have been placed, and some hair had been driven into the wound. It is possible that this may have been done by a rock in the river, but is not deemed probable; and the position and appearance of the wound is said to warrant the idea that it was caused by a sudden blow. If so, it was sufficient to stun the man, and if murder was the assailants object, nothing was easier than while the victim was insensible to throw him into the river. There was no other wound on the body.

Our correspondent at the Buller sends a description of the body which, if it be that of Beckman’s mate r and if he was known to any person, is sufficiently peculiar to lead to ready identification. In fact it has already been recognised by different parties in the boats. The body is thus described: height about 5 feet 10 inches, square shoulders, flat nose and broad face; hair dark with some grey, baldheaded over to the hat mark, lower part of the body small, hands small with long and fine fingers. The only apparel drawers, belt, sock, and watertight boots, with some flax round the ankles.

Important evidence is expected to be obtained at Cobden, where Beckman has been remanded on a charge of sticking up Johnstone. He was brought to Nelson in the Kennedy, as his apprehension took place at the Buller on the uptrip of the steamer, and on being brought before Mr Boynter on Saturday, Beckman was remanded as we have stated.