THE MURDER AT MAORI CREEK.

Kumara Times, Issue 2300, 11 January 1884, Page 2

THE MURDER AT MAORI CREEK.

The police have had a busy time of it during the last two days. Ou Wednesday morning Inspector Etnmerson and Sergt. O'Grady went to Maori Creek, accompanied by Mr J. N. Smythe, Government surveyor, from Hokitika, for the purpose of making a plau cf the locality where the murder was committed, and securiag any evidence obtainable in respect to the crime. Detective Quinn has of course been on the ground since he went up on Sunday night. The weather was not such as to make the task of hunting up evidence necessary to bring the case before the Court a pleasant task at all. lb is, however, gratifying to learn that every miner and other resident in the neighborhood showed a most laudable anxiety to assist the officers of justic in every way and render their labors as light as might be. And what assistance could be rendered by thorn was done so voluntarily and with a promptness that showed that the feeling of abhorrence at the crime was shared by everybody in the district. It was found that the hut of accused, iu which he has lived alone, is about 21 miles from Mr M'Kechnie's store, while deceased's hut is only about 1J miles distant. A largo quantity of evidence will be forthcoming on Monday next, when the accused will be brought before the Resident Magistrate. Twenty-oue witnesses are available at present, and more, if necessary, can be obtained. It is understood that the articles found close to the body of Gifford—the hat, the knife, and umbrella—can be identified as belonging to accused ; but of course this may not be so easy as may at present appear. Evidence will also be forthcoming of a strongly circumstantial character to the effect that Gifford and accused were seen to leave M'Kechnie's between 11 and 12 within about five minutes of each other, both traveling the same road. There is evidence also that some one was seen on the track at two difserent points hurrying along in the direction of accused's - hut, while about the same time, or shortly after the screams were heard, some person was heard to enter the hut of accused. So far the prisoner has preserved a somewhat sullen and morose demeanor, and has shown no disposition to be communicative to those in charge of him.— Argus.