THE MURDER AT MAORI CREEK.

Kumara Times, Issue 2297, 8 January 1884, Page 2

THE MURDER AT MAORI CREEK.

[From this morning’s Argus.] The one absorbing topic of conversation yesterday was the dreadful murder committed at Maori Creek on Saturday evening. Both the unfortunate victim (James Gifford) and the suspected person (John Donohue—not O’Donoghue) were well-known in the district. The deceased and his brother Alexander were very much respected by all who knew them, as being men of sterling honesty and straightforward in all their dealings. Donohue is also well known, but he is of an erratic temperament, and at times has been guilty of excesses ; and although he has not, so far as is known, done anything calling for his prosecution, he has frequently acted in such a way as to be incompatible with a well-balanced mind. He has occasionally given way to fits of intemperance, and when in that condition has fallen very low. Amongst some of his friends and acquaintances he is sometimes known as “ Mad Jack.” He is a dark-complexioned, thick-set, and powerfully-built man. From what can be gathered, Donohue has been engaged in mining in Australia and New Zealand for the last 17 or 18 years, portion of the time in this colony ; but he is a butcher by trade. The deceased, James Gifford, was also a strong man, having a pow'erful well-knit frame, and those best acquainted with him are under the impression that he must have been surprised and received a disabling or deadly thrust before he had time to realise the danger he was in.” At an early hour yesterday morning, H, A. Stratford, Esq., KM. and Coroner, left Greymouth for Maori Creek, to hold an inquest on the body of Gifford. At 9.20 a.m. the jury were empanelled at the Court House, Maori Creek, and the evidence of the following witnesses was taken at considerable length ; George Morice, Alexander Thompson, John Morton, John Jackson, Ernest Larcombe, John Nash (constable), and Dr. Morice. Before any evidence was taken, Sergeant O’Grady, who conducted the case in interests of justice and with a view to subsequent legal proceedings, stated that he had the choice of proceeding by one of two methods ; one was to biing the prisoner before the Coroner’s jury • the other, to exclude him. For reasons which he hereafter would explain he preferred to limit his line of examina- | tion merely to the cause of death sulfi- | cieut for the purposes at the inquest, I

reserving any inquiry into the details in a more comprehensive manner for some future occasion. It appeared from the more important evidence that Donohne was at M‘Kechnies Hotel that evening, and passed some time there in company with a number of other miners. During the course of the evening he purchased some meat, which he took away with him. Subsequently, however, he returned to the store with the meal, and said he would leave it there for the present, but would cill for it again later on. At this time deceased was in the store standing alongside the counter ; and as he was getting ready to go borne lie asked for his umbrella. Just at that particular moment the accused Donohue interjected some remark in relation to his dog having been let out of the store; and he and Mr M'Kechnie's man spoke about the matter for some little time. After that Donohue left, going in the direction of New River Terrace. After the lapse of a few minutes Gifford also left the store. Shortly before going away he had two drinks -one be paid for, having shouted, and the other was one that some other person shouted for him • but he was to all appearance perfectly sober. James Alexander Thompson, who was sworn as a Scotch Covenanter with his hand up, said that about nine o clock in the morning as he was going along the track leading to New River Terrace he observed a lot of blow flies ; and on looking about he saw the body of a man about two yards off. He also saw a lot of blood, and a new billycock hat on the side of the track. He felt so frightened that he did not take much notice afterwards; and he went to a neighbour’s place and told him what he bad seen. They returned in company, and when they examined the body they found that it was that cf James Gifford. They then gave information to the police, and Constable Nash went to the spot and examined the body. Constable Nash deposed that he went and viewed the body, which he found lying on its back with several wounds on the ueck and breast. He also found a knife (a butcher’s knife) about two yards from the body, and the hat of deceased close to the head. A short distance away, about three yards from the body, a billycock hat was found; and under the legs of the corpse he found an umbrella, which was subsequently identified as Donohue’s. The body was searched and the sum of £l7 14s was found on it. There were also a silver watch and gold chain round the neck. The soil where the body was found was of a spongy peaty nature, in which the traces were very deceptive. John Morton said that he was at George Williamson’s house, about 100 yards from where the murder occurred, on Saturday night, at half-past eleven. He was in company with John Jackson, While they were standing they heard three very loud and distinct yells, as from a human being in distress or agony, so as to convey to them the impression that a drunken man was in the creek. They could not identify any words clearly. But they felt so certain that something unusual had occurred that they immediately procured a candle and went in the direction of the sounds. But they found it a hard matter to force their way through the bush. What between brambles and scrub, they had some considerable difficulty in forcing their way through, and of course made a good deal of noise. When they got on the track they looked up and down, but failed to notice anything. But the yells had such an effect on Williamson’s daughter that she fainted, apparently being under the impression that something unusual had occurred. The next witness corroborated the evidence of the previous witness in the most accurate manner. It was also stated that a man was heard to go by Annett’s and Boynton’s house pantin'* and out of breath. Dr Morico in his evidence went to show as a result of his post mortem examination that there were 22 wounds on the body. There were three wounds ou the throat, each of which was sufficient to cause almost immediate death each of them severing the throat, while one of the wounds on the breast cut through one of the ribs and penetrated the left lung 3| inches. The stomach contained a quantity of blood, though the immediate.cause of death was the effusion of blood in the lungs. The stains on the knife were certified to l>v the doctor as blood stains. He was also of opinion that the wounds could not be self inflicted. They must have been given with great force; otlu-f.vi.se they could not have penetrated the vital organs in the way they did. [There is reason to believe that ihi, knifp and hat will be identified.] The verdict ultima tel v vns tin; ,{, coase l me' his ib-ath mail i ainlv on Uie oth January.