A CHARGE OF MURDER.

Press, Volume LXIV, Issue 13009, 10 January 1908, Page 3

A CHARGE OF MURDER.

(rBKSS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM). AUCKLAND, January 9. At tlic iivouest hejd at, HeJeneviHe on tine body of EchvaTd West. Mrs Elizabeth Shauks deposed thit on the afternoon of the 7t»h inst., the prisoner, William Stuart, ciuno to her house in a very excited state, and stated that he had killed West. He seemed quite sensible; but looked as if he had been drinking. She identified the hat produced at the inquest, which had been clean cut through the crown and wee smothered in blood, as the hat usually worn by West. John James Hinds deposed that ho was in MrsShanksrs house when Stuart arrived. Stuart told him he had murdered West, and asked witness to go and ere. Accused told witness about tho dispute, and how tho deed was committed. Witness went out to Stuart's camp, where 'he found an axe covered vitih Moor! lying in the middle of the floor. Hβ found the body lying on the ground, partly leaning up against a tree. West had a horrible gash in the head, blood was all over his face, and a pool of blood was on the ground. Constable Tapp deposed to arresting Stuart. When witness picked up the axe, Stuart stated : "That is what cut him down," adding, that he afterwards dragged the body into the scrub. Tho jury found a verdict that Edward West came by his death through a blow from an axe, inflicted by William Stuart, and that William Stuart wilfully murdered deceased. Subsequently Stuart was brought borore the. HelentsviEo Magistrates Court, and ehnTged witsb the nrurder of WeHb. He was remanded until the 17th inst.