THE HUTT MURDER.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2107, 4 October 1890, Page 3

THE HUTT MURDER.

: Wellington, Oct, 2. The inquestjon the body of Thomas James Smith, who was stabbed to 'death, as is alleged, in an affray with Chinamen on Monday night, was held this morning before Mr Robinson, District Coroner, The evidence of Dr Wilford showed that three wounds had been inflicted on deceased by a yery sharp instrument, one on the outside of the left knee, and two on the left arm. The blow on the knee severed an artery, and death was caused by the excessive Sow of blood from th.s r wound The doctor was of opinion that the blow on the leg was not intended to cause death, as it was only by the slightest chance the artery 7. S eerered. Hobbs one of the participants in the fight, repeated the foment as already published by ns o the effect that he saw two Chinaholding Smith down, and stabbing Mm, but he could not identify

the Chinamen in charge as the same one. The evidence of the other lads who were present when Smith met his death showed that all the party were sober. None of th® young men would swear that the two Chinamen in custody were those who were holding Smith ’ down on the road, although three or four of them said they believed Tom Hung was the man who had Smith by the feet. Several of the witnesses admitted that they had thrown stenes on the same hut on a previous occasion. The person from whom the Chinamen had leased the honse deposed that on the night -in question Xoung Bim and Tom Hung had come to his place, and in an excited manner told him that larrikins killed Sam Koy. There was no blood on their clothes, and they said nothing about Smith. Constable Cruickshanks stated that Tom Hung admitted to him that he had taken part in the fight, but Xung Bim said that the row was over before he arrived on the scene. Ihe weapon with which the wounds were inflicted have net yet been found. The jury, after deliberating for three-quarters of an hour brought in a verdict of wilful murder against Sam Koy, Tom Hung and Xoung Bim. A rider was added, calling the attention of the authorities to the larrikinism existing iu the Hutt. Ihe Coroner committed the men lor trial at the next sitting of the Supreme Court.