Alleged Murder at Newthorn.

Thames Star, Volume XV, Issue 4965, 8 December 1884, Page 2

Alleged Murder at Newthorn.

(Pee Peess Association.)

Dunedin, Yesterday,

The two prisoners, White and Crowley, were brought up at Outram yesterday, and charged with the murder of Wm. Meldrum. The case was adjourned pending the inquest, at which the medical evidence showed that death had resulted from bleeding from knife wounds. Dr McCaw said that if proper appliances had been at hand an hour after the occurrence, the man's life would probably have been saved. Evidence was given by Mrs Meldrum and some navvies as to hearing remarks during the quarrel by one or other of the three men that they would kill Meldrum, and if they had a knife they would cut his throat. They were all in drink. It seems that a woman named Burke was in Outram a day or two before, and complained that Meldrum had cut her on the head, and was heard to say that she would get " some of the boys to go for Meldrum." Fitzgerald made the remark during the Monday evening that he was Irish, and meant to have a row. The jury returned a verdict of " Wilful murder " against the three men. Word has been received by the police of Pitz* gerald having been seen at a place called Clark's Flat; he left Newthorn with the avowed intention of going to Dunedin to tell the police all about the affair and give himself up, but evidently changed his mind on the road.