THE MILLER'S FLAT MURDER. '

Southland Times, Volume I, Issue 39, 1 September 1864, Page 3

THE MILLER'S FLAT MURDER. '

IMPORTANT. DISCOVERY, APPREHENSION OF THE. SUPPOSED . MURDERER. . 7 We learn from the Canterbury Press th&i on the 25thmstaut a man named Wm. "Wilson was charged before the Resident Magistrate at Christchurch with the murder of Joseph Smith, alias .j "Yorkey, who- was raurdered-at -Miller!s Flat, Otago* in March 1863., N Mr. f Duncan appeared to watch the- case i-for-the'Crown. id \j I /I James Short, being duly sworn, stated as follows: — I am a constable of armed police at Christchurch. From information ] I-j received larrested 'prisoner yesterday' morning;' the* 23rd August instant, on a charge of murder. 1., t00k him to the Inspector, and I heard" the Inspector say to prisoner thatfte'was: charged with-, the murder of [Joseph; Smith, alias; Yorkey, on,: the 30t.h ; March, ,1863, at Otago. The cautioned: ; the prisoner, and asked., him where he came from. Prisoner replied 'he ; eanie-from Port:'J The.lnspector asked him what he had^ been doing in Port. Prisoner said he was working' on ; board the ship Parisian.- He said; he , camein .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 Christchurch,' and if he knew, a man named Campbell. He said he had called in at the public house on the hill, 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. I searched him, and found on him the property, a list of which I hand in. _ [The list comprises nothing more than the ordinary contents of a digger's swag.] James Campbell was next called, and stated — I am steward of the steamboat "Waipari. In March, 1863, I was living at> Miller's Flat, on the Molyneux, in the Province of Otago. I was a baker there. I had a place of my own. I knew a man named Joseph Sniiih, alias Yorkey. It was the snme man that I heard was murdered about March, 1863. I think it was on a Thursday. I knew him well. Yorkey was a packer — he.packed goods up to the Flat. - lie 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, 1563. 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 I passed the house again, but did not see him. I next saw prisoner on the top of Lyttelton Hill, the 22nd August, at the door of Angus's place. 1 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 matter as soon as I went into Lyttelton. There M-as a search made for prisoner after the murder. There was a reward ollered for him. There was a little hump-backed 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 Yorkcy'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 that he is the man I saw at Yorkey's at Miller's Flat. By prismer — I cannot say I ever saw you on board the Parisian. George Crosby Smith was next called, and stated as follows — I 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. £20 was what I received. I got the descriptions I produce of the man who was suspected of the murder. I copied it from the Oiago Times, in Dunedin, of the 26th March, 1863. Job John- on, who was tried for the murder in June 1863, was very like the prisoner. There is agrea resemblance between them. The prisoner, on the application of Inspector Fender, was remanded until the 25th inßtant, for the production of further evidence. SECOND DAY. George Angus was called, and being duly sworn, stated as follows — I live on the top of the Bridlepath. Keep a refreshment house. I was at my house on the 22nd August. I know Campbell. He was at my house on Monday, the 22nd Aug. lie 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 Tuapeka. I explained to prisoner that Tuapeka was in Otago, as he did not appear to know where it wa3. Prisoner said he should A-now something of Otago, as he had come overland from it. Campbell then asked him 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 prisoner whether lie 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 thai 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' l shall' not let you go.', Irson.r sail, " If you won't allow me to go, I suppose 1 shall have to remain here." Atter 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 waa granted. The prisoner was remanded until Saturday week to Dunedin. — Otayo Daily Times.