The West Coast Murder.

Manawatu Standard, Volume IX, Issue 54, 5 February 1885, Page 2

The West Coast Murder.

When the body of the murdered man Gifford was found near Greymonth. an umbrella, supposed to have belonged to his murderer, Donohue, wast found underneath the body. Both men were known to have umbrellas that night, and the theory of the prosecution was that Donohue, after killing Gifford, took the latter's umbrella away m mistake for bis own. Some people, however, doubted whether the one found was Donohue's, and the most careful search failed to discover Gifford's. Some sawyers near where the murder was committed have now found the remains of the latter concealed under a log which theyeut and turned over m following their ordinary avocations. It is still good but considerably mildewed and stained, while on the handle there are what appear to be blood stains. The police have taken possession of the umbrella. : The West Coast Times remarks : — " There must be some satisfaction telt by the police and the iury that yet : another link— • though it was hardly wanted — m the chain of circumstantial evidence which sent Donohue to his doom has been found. It is probable that Donohue, before washing the bloodstains from his boots and garments m the dam, must have placed Gifford's umbrella m concealment, which he hoped would be final." *