KYEBURN MURDER

Hokitika Guardian, 1 November 1928, Page 5

KYEBURN MURDER

TRIAL OF HARDIE.

FURTHER EVIDENCE

(By Telegraph—Press Association).

DUNEDIN, November 1

The trial was resumed this morning. A I,oses Brown, a gold miner, stated he had been mining for 48 years in various parts and had lieen engaged as an expert in connection with prospecting and dredging. On July 23rd, at the request of the police witness went to Shinn’s place and supervised the washing up df the claim. Witness examined the samples handed him in Court by the Crown Prosecutor and stated they were taken from Slium’s claim. “In all inv experience,” added witness, in reply to a question, “ I have never come across gold of the same rusty, oxidised appearance, except in tin's place.”

AVitness further said he was familiar with gold in all parts of the district and gold of the kind produced was obtainable in no other claim but Shum’s.

His Honour asked what gold witness was examining.

The Crown Prosecutor stated he was comparing the gold sold to the bank, with three samples taken from Shum’s claim.

Witness said there jyas no difference between the golds. Air- Hanlon asked if witness did not say before the magistrate that, not having seen the fourth sample come out df the box, it was impossible for him to say it was identical with the other three samples.

Witness replied: I am so absolutely certain that the samples are identical that I don’t see I could make that mistake.

AVitness added that what occurred was that he was asked if ho could swear the gold came from the claim and he said he could not, because to swear that he would have to see it come out. Isaac John Parfit, miner, said the gold sold to the bank and the gold obtained from Shinn’s claim were practically the same in colour. The blowings from the gold from Shum’s claim and the blowings returned by the hank were somewhat alike. > Charles Thomas Hore, miner, said ho washed up Hardie’s claim and from what he saw it would bo impossible to get more than two dwts. out of tho workings. He tried several prospects and got one and a-half grains to the yard.

A DETECTIVE’S EVIDENCE. DUNEDIN, Nov. 1

Detective Lean gave evidence as to accosting the accused in the street, who was warned about making a statement Hardy said he did not know any Chinaman at Kyeburn. nor had ho shown photgraphs to a Chinaman. In the wallet on accused was found., a paper indicating that he had sold a little over 2oz. of gold to the Bank of N.S.AV. on July 18th. 'When accused was told that the photographs found on him would be shown to Sue Pee lie said he showed them to a. Chinaman in a Kyeburn hotel three weeks before.

Sul) Inspector Fahey described the identification parade in which 16 men, all 6ft. high were lined up. Seven of them were dressed similarly to the accused. Accused was allowed to choose his position in the row. The Court then adjourned for luncheon.