59 YEARS AGO.

Dunstan Times, Issue 3482, 18 August 1930, Page 5

59 YEARS AGO.

THE KYEBURN MURDER. Naseby, Aug. 13th. 1880 The inquest on the Kyeburn murder was concluded late on Wednesday evening, when an open verdict was returned, with the rider—as the jury have been led by the evidence to suspect that the person or persons were Chinese, and looking to the extreme dilhculty of prosecuting among them, they strongly urge the Government to offer a substantial reward to any one who was not actually the murderer, who may give information that may load to tho conviction of the murderers. Five men were brought before the S..M this morning, under very suspicious circumstances, and remanded. Later. On the 20th inst at the Naseby Court Ah Leo and Lee Guy were charged with the murder of Mary Young at Kyeburn. Inspector Hickson asked for a remand, as the whole aspect of the case had changed. The remand was granted.—ln connection with this case it appears that since the arrest of Ah Lee, he has either “split’ 1 confessed or led the Police to believe that Lee Guy, who first gave' the alarm of tho murder, was implicated in some way with the perpetrator of the deed. It is believed that the Police are now on the right track ; but, of course, they are very reticent. The charge was interpreted to the prisoners in Chinese, but it did not perceptibly affect them.

The Government are offering a reward of £IOO for information that will lead to the conviction of the murder or murderers.

At the Magisterial inquiry, there was a full Bench, consisting of W, Kobinson Esq 11. M., and Messrs Me Kenzie, Hjorring, and Busch J.IVs. Mr Commissioner Weldon and Inspector Hickson appeared for the Crown. Lea Guy was charged with the murder and Ah Lee with being accessory. Wong Ah Tack acted as interpreter for the Government, with Wong Gye to watch the for the accused, as their solicitor took exception to the former’s interpretation. The accused had also an interpreter. Alex. M’Hardy deposed that on the morning of the 4th Lee Guy came to his house and said “Mac, Mrs Young too muchee fall down, too muchee die, you go down house, too muchee broke.” He went down and found Mrs Young partly on the lloor and partly on the mattress. He said “in the name of God, who did this 1" She [raised her hand and said in a low, choking voice, “Bad man or men.” He told her he would go for the Police and the doctor, which he did. He said Mrs Young had a watch dog that, would bark at any stranger, but he never knew it to bark at Lee Guy. Lee Guy on very friendly terms with Mrs Young, living so close and he used to do odd jobs for her. He had Lee Guy refer to Mrs Young as “me mamma.’’ Mrs Forgie gavo evidence that when she reached Mrs Young’s and leaned over her, the deceased seemed conscious, and when asked if it was an Englishman or a Chinese did it. said “No” and respectively and clearly. The Court then adjourned. There are twenty witnesses yet to b« examined. There is great excitement and the Courthouse is packed. The case is expected to last three or four days and the general opinion is that Lee Guy and Ah Lee will be committed for trial,