MILLER'S FLAT MURDER.

Lake Wakatip Mail, Issue 141, 3 September 1864, Page 3

MILLER'S FLAT MURDER.

APPREHENSION OF THE SUPPOSED MURDERER. In the Resident Magistrate's Court, at Christ-

church, on the 25th ult, a man, named William Wilson was charged with the murder of Joseph Smith, alias Yorkey, who was murdered at Miller's Flat, near the Dunstan, in March, 1863. Mr Duncan appeared to watch for the Crown. The Canterbury Press reports: — James Short being duly sworn, stated as follows—l am a constable of armed police at Christchurch. From information I received I arrested prisoner yesterday morning, the 23rd August, on a charge of murder. I took him to the Inspector, and I heard the Inspector say to prisoner that he was charged with the murder of Joseph Smith, alias Yorkey, on the 33th March, 1863, in Otago. The Inspector cautioned the prisoner, and asked him where he came from. Prisoner replied he came from port. The Inspector asked him what he had been doing in port. Prisoner said he was working on board the ship Parisian. He said he came in her from Sydney. I think he afterwards made mention of Newcastle. He was then asked if he had been in company with any person on his way from port to Christchnrch, and if he knew a man named Campbell. He said he had called in at the public house, and that there were some people there, but he did not know them. He said he did not know a man named Campbell. Prisoner was also asked if he was not charged with the murder of Joseph Smith, alias Yorkey, by a person on the hill. He denied it. The Inspector asked him if he had been spoken to on the subject on the hill, and he said " no." I took him to the watchhouse, and searcned him, and found on him the property, a list of which I hand in. [The list comprised nothing but the ordinary wntents of a digger's swag.]

James Campbell was next called and stated—lam steward of the steamboat Waipari. In Maich, 1863, I was living at Miller's Flat, on the Molyneux, in the Province of Otago. I was a baker there, and had a place of my own. I knew a man named Joseph Smith, alias Yorkey. It was the same man that I heard was murdered about March, 1963. I think it was on a Thursday. I knew him well. Yorkey was a packer : he packed goods up the Flat: and lived at Miller's Flat, about a mile from my place. I passed his place nearly every day. I know prisoner. Prisoner was building Yorkey's house at Miller's Flat, in March, 1863. I think three or four days before Yorkey was murdered. I saw prisoner at Yorkey's. The day before the murder, I saw the prisoner run down the creek at Yorkey's. The next day 1 parsed the house again, but did not see him. I next saw prisoner on the top of Lyttleton hill, the 22nd August, at the door of Angus's place. I said " You were on Miller's Flat. I know your face." I laid hold of him by the collar, and he was going to •strike me. I asked prisoner if he was at Miller's Flat at the time Yorkey was murdered. He said he was. He ran away down the hill and left me. Before going down the hill he asked me if my name was Campbell. I reported the ratter as soon as I went into Lyttieton. There was a search made for prisoner after the murder. There was a reward offered for him. There was a little humpbacked man brought down to Tuapeka on the charge of murdering Yorkey, and I was examined in the case. He was very like prisoner. Two horses were taken away from Yorkey's place to my knowledge. Angus was at his place when I charged prisoner at the top of the hill with murder. I should think he could have heard the conversation. I swear prisoner is the man I saw on the bridle path, and I can also swear he is the man 1 saw at Yorkey's at Miller's Flat. George Crosby Smith was next called, and stated—l am brother of Joseph Smith, who was murdered. I was in Melbourne at the time he was murdered. I went to Dunedin after the murder. I received one horse from the police, and the value of the other, which belonged to my brother. £2O was what I received. I got the descriptions I produce of the man who was suspected of the murder. I copied it from the 1 Otago Times' in Dunedin, of the 26th March, 1863. Job Johnson, who was tried for the murder in June, 1863, was very like the prisoner. There is a great resemblance between them. The prisoner, on the application of Inspector Pender, was remanded until the 25th ult., (today) for the production of further evidence. George Angus was called, and being duly sworn, stated—l live on the top of the bridlepath, and I keep a refreshment house. I was at my house on the 22nd August ult. I know Campbell. He was at my house on Monday, the 22nd August ult. He came there about one or two o'clock that day. He came up from the valley side. Prisoner was at my house that day about four o'clock p.m. He came from port. Campbell was there when prisoner came. Campbell was inside the house. Prisoner left his swag outside and came in. Campbell asked the Prisoner repeatedly whether he had ever been on uapeka. I explained to prisoner that Tuapeka was in Otago, as he did not appear to know where it was. Prisoner said he should know something of Otago, as he had come overland from it. Campbell then asked if he had ever seen him on Tuapeka. Prisoner replied that it was probable or possible that he had. After a quarter of an hour Campbell then asked him whether he had ever been on Miller's Flat. He said he had. Campbell said he thought he knew his face. Prisoner asked if he knew anything bad about him. After a short time, Campbell asked him whether he remembered a death on Miller's Flat. He said that he remembered the death of * Yorkey," and asked whether he supposed he (prisoner) had anything to do with it. Campbell said "yes, I believe you are the man that killed him, and I shall not let you go." Prisoner said "if you won't allow me to go, I suppose I shall have to remain here." After a short time prisoner asked Campbell whether he would shout. Campbell said he would. Prisoner then went out, took up his swag, and went towards Christchurch. Campbell went after him, but I did not hear him call. By Prisoner —Campbell was the worse for liquor. By Police—Campbell was shrewd enough. Inspector Pender here applied for a remand to Dunedin, which was granted. The prisoner was remanded untill Saturday week to Dunedin.