Untitled

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 16, Issue 814, 18 August 1870, Page 4

A Coromandel miner, named David Johnston, who had just v-. turned to Koburt Town, has been murdered at B'ingal, In his mate. The Hobart Town Mercury ot July 15 supplies the following particulars from a correspondent;—"I hasten to ac qu linfc you with the particulars of a 'Melancholy and murderous assault com iniited by a native of Hobart Town, named Alfred Harrington. From what i have been able to leara, it appears that Harrington was working in a shaft that is now being sunk on the Liverpool Company's Claim, at Mangaua, along with Mr David Johnston, formerly a cooper of Hobarl Town, but who had lately returned to Tas mania from the Coromandel goldfields, in New Zealand, and who was employed b\ the company, on account of his practical experience us a miner, to superintend tin; sinking of the shaft. Jioih m.'ii, it appears, were working together in the hole, when, as it is conjectured, some dispute arose between thorn, and Harrington, being of an excusable temperament, lost ail selfcontrol and struck Johnston several times on the back of the head with his pick, llr then left the hole and told several people that he had ' murdered his mate, David Johnston, and left him in the hole,' and, no ooubt believing that his victim wus debd. he went immediately and gave himself up to ihe police, charging himself with having era's d Johnston's death. This sad event took place on Monday, the 11th instant, and immediately after its becoming known a number of people hurried to the spot, and Johnston, who was quite insensible but not dead, was removed from the hole, and medical aid at once obtained. The doctor has just left him, and states that it is quite impossible that he can recover, as his brains are protruding at intervals, and he is fast sinking. He has lost his eyesight, and his limbs are becoming cold. He has not had a moment's consciousness since he was discovered, ami consequently could not give any account of the sad ail'air. All Johnston's property has been removed to the Police office. As the break does not leave till to-morrow morning 1 'will keep my letter open to give you the latest particulars. It is now halfpasfc seven o'clock on Wednesday morning and Johnston is still lingering, but he cannot survive much longer, though it is possible ho may survive till evening." A telegram was received in Hobart Town the next day announcing Johnston's death.