THE MURDER AT MAORI CREEK

Press, Volume XL, Issue 5711, 8 January 1884, Page 2

THE MURDER AT MAORI CREEK

[PRMS ASSOCIATION T_UTOB__.J GBEYMOUTH, January 7. An inques f was held at Dunganville today on the body of James Gifford. A number of witnesses were examined. John Donohue, who hits been arrested on suspicion of being the murderer, was not present at the inquest. The evidence of Doctor Mo rice went to show that therewere t — '?nty-t~o severe wounds on the body of deceased; three in the throat, any one of which would cause almost instantaneous death. One wound in the breast cut through a rib and penetrated the left lung three and a half inches. On the body was found a deposit receipt on the Union Bank for £102 10a, a silver watch, and a gold chain. Gifford left McKechnie's store about a quarter-past eleven on Saturday night to go in the direction of New River terrace. Acoused left about the same time to go in the same direction. Both were quite sober. Yella or ahouts of a human being, as if in agony, were heard some little time after. One girl, who heard the fiist three crie3, tainted, she was so frightened. Two men went in tho direction of tho sound, which, was only 100 yards away, but they had to partially clear the way amongst tne scrub and brambles, and necessarily made a good d*al of noise j but they saw nothing. Evidence was given to the effect that a person panting, aa if out of breath, was heard passing that nu;b.t the houses of Annetc and l'oyuton, but the person wu* not seen. Between tho of the corpse was found an umbrella, identified as that of Donohue. Gifford also had an u_-bre—-l when he lef c the store, but that h_* not been found. Close to the body a new billycock hat and a sheath knife, with three brass rivew in the handle, were picked up, and it ia said these can be identified ad the property of Donohue. The jury returned a verdict of wilful and malicious murder against some person unknown. Accused's body and apparel were minutely examined. A mark was found over the left eye on the cheek and forehead, while the hands were scratched. Some bruises were found on the back of the accused, while the wearing appa-.el bore signs as if an attempt had been made to wtwh out some stains. At the request of Sergeant O'Grady, a remand was granted for eight days. Accused has been mining in this colony and Victoria for the list seventeen years, and is known among acquaint— nee* as Mad Jauk, on account of eccentric conduct at times. Prisoner was brought into town this evening. He is a thick-set, powerful man.