WHO KILLED HAWKINS?

Temuka Leader, Issue 1932, 20 August 1889, Page 3

WHO KILLED HAWKINS?

Under the above title a writer in (he Oathelic Times describes a visit to the scene of the murder for which Chemis was sentenced to death. He asserts that the day after the murder a stranger was seen near the place, ?nd insists that the murder was committed by a rnaoiac. He went to sleep cloee to the. spot on the occasion of his visit, and ho describes what he saw wficn he awoke as follows; Just then'the (boon shines out bright and clear. Two things I stem to see simultaneously : A little packet of white paper-hot there when I went to sleep—hanging to the gorse close to my left bands, and on the same level as myself, and on the spot from which Hawkins was first shot at, A. MAN CROUCHING,

with hie back lo me, apparently turning over hie pockets for something he had lost. Keeping my eyes steadfastly on the man, 1 reached out, grasped the paper with my left hand, and, facing him, my revolver in my right hand, glanced rapidly at the paper. My rapid scrutiny sufficed to show me that the outside piece—for there were several printed slips—was a portion of the Evening Press. That the man on my right, had dropped these slips and was searching for them I felt certain, as be hfUfi.tiirricd round and exposed his left hand .apparently with several pieces of paper in if, while he dived in his 'of: inside breast pocket with his right. At that moment I caught a glimpse—partial,y obkeured by the gorse—of his face. I will not, for obvious reasons, desetibe him, but.if,ever it was given to mortal maulto look on THE SACK OE THE DAMNED it was given to me that night. His fane was terrible in its pallor, made more palid by the moon's rays, and in the awful, baastial expression of his countenance. I can honestly say that all mere nervousness had left me, but there was that in this unknown stranger s face which told- me most unmistakeably that if he saw n#a he would kill me, unless I first killed him. I lay there watching him and No use to shout for assistance. WLat assistance could reach in that wild, lonely spot ? Besides, the man bad as good a itigtit there as I had, and how conld I, by any reasonable theory, excuse my own presaQ.ee at that hour f Nothing fer it but to wait developments. Presently bs relinquished his search, looked eagerly on every side, hesitated, listened, and arose. He stood there in a bright moonlight, revealing every detail of face, form, and clothing. Slowly he faced towards me, and his terrible, glowing eyes glared straight,into mine. Involuntarily 1, still sitting, raised my pistol and covered his heart. Such was the lurid light that 1 felt, against my belter judgment, that he saw and would instantly attack me. A moment’s reflection assured me, however, that he could not see through the gorse, but mont»lly I determined! wodld let him advance five paces and no more ; as he lifted his foot for the sixth time 1 would fire, and

AIM JOB HIS HEART, and nowhere else. Ho never moved, but stood staring as before. At last his white lips opened, though no sound came from them. Suddenly he crouched again, his profile in sight, and I noted he was listening intently and gazing down the road—the ’ road by which I now remembered Hawkins CAME TO HIS DOOM, I bad from the moment of awakening almost forgotten the murder—forgotten alinoet where I was and why I came. Now instantaneously I knew wilhont shadow of a doubt that I looked upon the murderer, and that be was enacting .again the awful drama Friday night. May 31st, Again he arose, straightened himself, and walked leisure'y into the road and peered down the road. Apparently satisfied that be heard his victim cotniug, ha leaped back into the gorse and waited. My every sense was quickened, but it seemed nn age before the murderer’s—for such I felt be was—next movement. At last, without a sound, he rose, once more, presented a

LARGE SINGLE -BARRELLED PISTOL, aimed to his left front, up bill, stood a brief moment irresolute, returned the pistol, drew what was evidently a knife, and came rushing back down hill, aiming desperate stabs at some to me invisible figure. Sometimes he stopped, faced round; and stabbed ; anon he ran some yards, almost stumbled over semething tangible to him, and stabbed again 1 again! again! Round hia lips there bung a bloody foam, as rouud the lips of a savage rabid hound; 1 knew

I SAW THE MURDERER 1 I was determined to capture or to kill him. No thought of myeelf obtruded—only a mad horror and loathing, and a desire to rid the world of a devil in human shape. Presently he knelt a few yards below me. Qe seemed to be talking to something ; mocking someone. Now was my time, i cared little should this brute, whether fiend or madman, see me. First I crept on my knees, my pistol ready. As nearer I drew X became less cautious, and, dislodging a atone, made some slight noise. He never heard. Then I rose to my feet and advanced rapidly, but silently as I could. When within fifteen paces he turned round, saw nie, and, with a fearful shriek of rage and terror, and with on activity.superhuman, faced to the right and bounded up the back. For one brief second 1 covered and thought of firing at him—the next he had vanished into the 'shrub. He had a pistel and a knife—l knew I should pay the penalty of my life did I follow. I heard him only a few seconds. Then

All WAS SILENT. For a moment or two I stood considering. Then, reflecting that 1 might be making a target of myself, went swiftly down the hill, and, avoiding the Butchery, the dogs wherein were loudly barking, soon got on to the road. My first intention was to seek the police ; my next to take legal advice* 1 proceeded straight to the private residence of a well-known lawyer. To him I told not only the foregoing story but several details which I have purposely suppressed. He heard me iu silence, his first impression being, as he subsequently acknowledged, that I DAD «ONE MAD. Wbeo, however, I recounted how I had found the packet of papers, be simply said “ Where are they i” X first concluded my story, then, as I drew the papers from my pocket, 1 noticed that my friend was elighly astooifihod. -When I read the first paper his expression of astonishment hud giv«u piece to & look of keen intelligence. for the first time the full significance of the drama I had witnessed. The first paper is.a copy

of an advertisement which appeared In the Evening Press on Saturday, June Ist, 1889, THE DAV AFTER THE MURDER. Here it is NOTICE. Ybt forty days and ySfellinpion shall bo overthrown. The earthquakes bnve told that God is not pleased at all with mon in New Zealand. There: is no faith and no love for God in the lot, nothing but, bid of all kinds. He will serve them all alike. . It is far better to be buried nl've very deep than to. go in sin more and more every day, even '.in one they shall not be .unpunished. Many infants born of harloteare murdered, soma buried alive,, some given away and slaves made of them. Many live in pleasures of sin as if mad,, and do no morcy, but cruelty more than ever, to men, horses, boasts, etc., Until thiey see they must die, then do they .Weep bitterly, and howl and lament, and pray hard, to God for mercy, but have to obtain none, seeing that they have shown no mercy to : the friends of God, but tormented them instead. Churches, Chapels, Temples, etc, are-' got. up by men most wicked o" all. Their hearts arc full of deceit, the same e.s a thief and a rohbor, with too much learning but good for nothing, too lazy for business and ior wort; they speak fair and good words to serve their .own belly and not God; they pray and spout much about the Word of God, and Teal deceitfully with it liko Korah and Com —tluaibsre, XVj. Ye people of God, .be ye «<*• by those evil servants that know iob-wu. or Goo, mid do it not; shall Buffer ve;y, ycry much. Many tost and pvr.y not in £*'‘-rol, sml giro no alms in secret, are not converted by a saint, not repented, not sanctified, not purified, not regenerated. These, things are j Commanded by the .Lord Jesus,Christ to be done every year instead'- of burnt offerings, and sacrifices. lam a Saint from Germany to convert everybody, free/ of charge. Any person who receives. me and does what I tell them shkllbe 'Baved'Xfor eternal happiness; anyone doing it not shall be soon in eternal hell and great torment. Five days only, and I shall be gone. Address J.M., Post Office.

1513 ad . The remaining papers, folded inside the first, were Cuttings front certain Southern newspapers, relating to the

WAIXAHUNA. MUEDEE, which is supposed to have been perpetrated on last May 20bh, 2lst, 22nd, or 23rd ; the murder of the unfortunate Mr Hawkins having been committed on May 31st. The victim of, the Waitahuna murder was James Bradfordj- t> . miner, whose mate, Eobert Waddell, after being arrested on suspicion, was released, there not being the slightest evidence against him. The questions 1 now call upon the police to answer are < (1) Who murdered Bradford P (2) Who murdered Hawkins? (3) Who was the man seen near the scene of' the Kaiwara murder on the following, morning (June Ist) P (4) Who was the maniac who inserted the advertisement (above quoted) in the Evening Press of Juqe Ist ? . , There are I twb more questions that, in due time, j will myself answer. They are: (1) Who was the man seen by me on the night of Saturday, August 10th ? (2) Did I actually see a living man, or have I simply been the unconscious instrument of working out a terrible mystery and payoholegioal problem ? Time will prove.