A COROMANDEL MINER MURDERED.

Westport Times, Volume IV, Issue 702, 25 August 1870, Page 2

A COROMANDEL MINER MURDERED.

A Coromandel miner, named Dayid Johuston, who had just returned to Hobart Town, has been murdered at Fingal by his mate. The " Hobart Town Mercury of July 15th supplies the following particulars from a correspondent : —" I hasten to acquaint you with the particulars of a melancholy and murderous assault committed by a native of Hobart Town, named Alfred Harrington. From what I have been able to learn, it appears that Harrington was working in a shaft that is now being sunk on the Liverpool Company's claim, at Mangana, along with Mr David Johuston, formerly a cooper of Hobart Town, but who had lately returned to Tasmania from the Coromandel goldfiekls, in New Zealand, and who was employed by the company on account of his practical experience as a miner, to superintend the sinking of the shaft. Both men, it appears, were workiug together in the hole, when, as it is conjectured, some dispute arose between them, and Harrington, being of an excitable temperament, lost all self-control and struck Johnston several times on the back of the head with his pick. He then left the hole and told several people that he had ' murdered his mate, David Johnston, and left him in the hole,' and, no doubt believing that his victim was dead, ho went immediately and gave himself up to the police, charging himself with having caused Johnston's death. This sad event took place on Monday, the 11th instant, and immediately after it became known a number of people hurried to the spot, and Johnston, who was quite iusonsiblo but not dead, wa3 removed from the hole, and medical aid at once obtained. The doctor has just left him, and states that it is quite impossible that he can recover, as his brains are protruding at intorvala, and ho is fast sinking. He has lost his evesight, and his limbs are becoming cold. He has not had a moment's consciousness since he was discovered, and consequently could not give any account of the sad affair. All Johnston's property

has been removed to the Police Office. As the break does not leave till tomorrow morning, I will keep my letter open to give you the latest particulars. It is now half-past seven o'clock on "Wednesday morning, aDd Johnston is still lingering, but he cannot survive much longer, though it is possible he may linger till the evening " A. telegram was received in Hobart Town the next day announcing Johnston's death.