THE MAORI CREEK MURDER.

Kumara Times, Issue 2303, 15 January 1884, Page 2

THE MAORI CREEK MURDER.

The Maori Creek murder case occupied the Resident Magistrate’s Court, Greymouth, yesterday, from 11 o’clock in the morning until six in the evening, with scarce an hour’s intermission for lunch. The prisoner, John Donohue, was placed in the box and charged with having murdered James Gifford at Maori Creek on the sth of January. Mr Perkins, Crown Prosecutor, appeared on behalf of the Crown, instructed by Inspector Emmerson; Mr A. R. Guinness appeared for the defence. Seventeen witnesses were examined. The principal evidence seems to be comprised in that given by the following witnesses, which is taken from the Argus:— James Alexander Thompson (sworn as a Scotch Covenanter) said that be left his hut shortly after 9 o’clock on Sunday morning, and near Perrins’ sawpit, on the right hand side of the road, he saw some blow flies and a hat. He then saw the dead body of Gifford, with an umbrella partly under the feet. He at first thought it was the body of John Rusk. He saw the man was dead, and he hurried off to Poynton’s for advice. Joseph Po\ T nton went back with him, and on seeing the body at once cried out “My God, it is James Gifford.” He remained there till Con-: stable Nash came, and saw him pick up Gifford’s hat and a sheath-knife. Saw Constable Nash pick up the umbrella. He had seen a hat similar to the one just mentioned on accused, John Donehue, since Christmas; but could not swear to the hat. In reply to Mr Guinness, witness said he was pretty positive as to Gifford’s hat. Alexander M'Pherson, miner, Dunganville, said that on the 26th December last he went in company with accused to Kumara in Macfie’s coach. Accused wore a common felt hat, but kept it in a different shape from that worn by anybody in Dunganville, Would call it a new hat; it looked like a new hat; or it might be a few months old. Saw tassels on the hat. Witness noticed in the coach that his own hat had some paint on it. Mentioned it to the driver, when all hands took their hats off. Accused tried to rub the paint off his with a handkerchief. Accused and witness were sitting knee and knee together. Could see the paint on his hat. The paint was a light yellow. Afterwards accused said, <£ Look at that. Then saw the tassel of his hat in his hand, which he threw out of the window. He pointed to the cord where the tassel had come off. The hat produced (Ex. B.) was that worn by accused on Christmas Day, only the rim was more straight then. The crown of the hat was the same shape. Believed he could see a spot of paint on the hat. The cord looked exactly the same as when witness saw them on Christmas Day, but the cord had three strands instead of. one. The hot accnsed had on when arrested was not the same as the one he went to Kumara with ; it was older. Patrick Hickey, miner, Dunganville, said he had been a mate of accused’s since June, 1882. Saw accused at Dunganville on the sth inst. He had a new hat on, a broad brim black felt. The hat he usually wore he bought in M'Kechnie’s store last Patrick’s time. Both hats were of the same kind. Was in accused’s hut about four or five months ago. Saw three knives in the hut on that occasion, two table-knives and a sheath-knife. The sheath-knife produced (Ex. E.) was similar to the .one he saw in the hut, but did not take it in his hand. Accused was a regular attendant at chapel when the priest attended there. He was not at chapel on the 6bh instant, although Father Pertius was there. The first twelve months that accused was his mate he was right enough, but since then he had got cross and severe! When spoken to he would snap. Spoke to him about his manners twice. There is very little in the remainder of the evidence the substance of which has not been published by us, but which points of course inferentially and circumstantially to the guilt of the accused. The Court adjourned at 6 p.m. I ill 10 o'clock this morning. The Argus remarks:—“The demeanour of the prisoner during the day was the very impersonation nT’-.-lf-possession or unco accrued nes.- 1 , «■ x t. during the last couple of horns’ -I:,- ’ which lie. Kfonv'ii to i-v;-.,.,. r. j. n , appioaciii! bnoy-io \ at no time did he appear i„ .he aiightest de|