LATE CITY

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 465, 21 September 1928, Page 13

LATE CITY

Photographs Form Link in Evidence

gold-diggings murder POLICE STORY OF ARREST Press Association DUNEDIN, To-day. The hearing of evidence against William John Hardie on a charge of murdering Jo Shum at Kyeburn Diggings on July 16 was continued at the Police Court to-day. ' A police photographer produced photographs taken on the scene. He stated he took a photograph of a footmark pointed out by a detective, but the camera moved, causing a double Image. He subsequently took at Dunedin the imprint of Ilardie’s left boot. Both photographs were produced. Patrick McMahon stated he was on a Job at tho Masonic Hall, hfaseby, from April 26 to June 6. Hardie had shown him photos, but he could not say whether any were of the Dunedin Exhibition. Detectivu Lean stated that on July IS he took possession at Dunedin Station of a sack swag addressed to Hardie. Witness had boarded the train at Wingatui to search for Hardie, but could not find him. Koxt morning lie and Detective Koycroft arrested Hardie in Cumberland Street. Witness asked for an interview and Hardio agreed to go to the Police Station, where ho admitted the swag was bis property. Witness told him a Chinese had been murdered and that suspicion attached to him. lfardie laughed, replying that ho would not murder any Chinaman and did not know any Chinese at Kyeburn. Witness warned accused, who said: “I’m not afraid of anything. I say I had •nothing to do with the Chinaman." Accused agreed to make a statement, which he signed. Accused took from the swag tho clothes he was wearing on the day of the murder, and also handed over tho boots he was wearing on July 17; also his wallet, containing four £1 notes, six photographs including four of the Exhibition, a receipt for gold, and memorandum of sale of gold on July 18. Later accused was told that Shura’s mate had left Kyeburn for Dunedin Hardie replying: "The sooner he comes the better.” Hardie agreed to spend the night in a room at the station. Following an identification parade the next day. witness arrested Hardie. When ’accused was being searched in the watch house, Sub-Inspector Fahey told him he was going to show the photographs to the Chinese who had identified him. Hardie said: “"The Chinese will identify the pictures. I know that Chinese now. I showed him the photographs three weeks ago in the Kyeburn Hotel.”

Eileen Law, student and interpreter of Chinese, said that when asked to point out the man at the parade Sue Pee refused, saying that he was afraid but that the man was there. He again refused to point to the man, adding, "You go.” He described the position of the man in the row. Mr. A. C. Hanlon, for accused, said it was not evidence against accused as the conversation was in a language with which he was not conversant. Witness said that as a result of what sue Pee said, she approached No. 7 in and Sue Hee said in Chinese. That the man.” Mr: Hanlon again contended it .was not evidence against accused. Witness said accused was the man described by Fee as the one she pointed out.

savo evidence as to the finding of a footprint on the edge or deceased's claim. The impression was covered with boards and later a cast was taken. It was a left boot impression, with nails in it On July 22 witness found the barrel '.Vf magazine of a repeating rifle in at the side o£ the track 100 ? w the hut- At the bottom °" the otller side the stock ■as found. Two unused .22 rifle cartand * riffs bullet were found been found PartS ° £ th ° rifle llad

Ha " lon> cross-examining, elicited ~ at nt> footprints were sought beShow* th U i y and ~ l ' He Sought to L * hat ™ lth so many police there ThlV ve been scores of footprints. 1 *ll® tbs witness denied. adjournment. l^611 rOS ° f ° r the lunche ™