OLD MAN MURDERED

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 15 December 1927, Page 9

OLD MAN MURDERED

LATE EDITION

CRIME AT STEWART ISLAND. SIGNS OF TERRIBLE STRUGGLE.. AN ARREST MADE. (by teleghaph—press association.) INVERCARGILL., Dec. 15. A murder of a savage nature was perpetrated at Horseshoe Bay, Stewart Island, at 5 a.m. on Wednesday, the victim being Andrew Josey, a Javanese fisherman, over 80 years of age, a wellknown identity. Arthur Valentine, accountant of the Bluff Harbour Board, who was trustee for Josey’s estate, has been arrested and charged with the murder. Valentine was recently the victim of a peculiar assault in the board’s office, when £240 were stolen. On Saturday he pi-oceeded to the island, staying at the same house as Josey. The landlady was awakened bv loud noises on the top floor, and heard Josey cry: “Help! help! he is killing me for my money!” Terrified, she rushed to a neighbour, who summoned the constable. They found Josey dead, his features being terribly disfigured by some blunt instrument, and the floor was splashed with blood, showing that a terrible struggle for life had occurred. Valentine, who was in bed, was arrested, and brought to Bluff by steamer, where he was charged' with wilful murder and remanded till December 22. The victim was held in great respect on the island, and had by thrift acquired independence.