THE MURDER AT THE BEALEY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 1929, 23 February 1867, Page 2

THE MURDER AT THE BEALEY.

An inquest was held yesterday nt the Hospital, at 3 p.m., on Hie body of the man alleged to:have been murdered near the Bealey. .Mr J. S. W, Coward, the coroner of the district, conducted the inquiry, Mr John Mummery being chosen foreman of the jury. James Cook : I am a miner, living at present in Cliristchurch. On Feb. 13 I was coming overland from Greymouth towards

Christchurch in search of work. I found the body at the Black Bull Store, on Mr i Campbell's run. I had laid down my swag in order to have a spell. I walked up to the i old hut at the back of the store. I entered i the hut, lit my pipe and had a smoke. Whilst doing so I was looking at the figures scratched on the wall. I went to the creek to get a drink and perceived a strong smell. I saw a thick stick lying in the creek. I took the stick and moved the grass wh'ch was growing near the creek. There were a number of rats'about the bank. I saw an object lying near the spot, partly covered with gravel, On moving the shingle I 3aw something like a' Crimean shirt. I tore it with the stick and found a flannel shirt beneath. I tore_ this, and finding flesh beneath, I covered it up and left it. I went to Castle Hill Accommodation House, and told what I had seen. The keeper of the house went up to Mr Enys, the nearest Justice of the Peace. Next morning, Mr Enys and myself went to the spot. I had a spade with me, and Mr Enys uncovered a portion of the body. There was a cut on the left side of the head. I did not see the face, The hair on the head was landy. By Inspector Pender: When I came to Mr Enys 1 1 had a revolver loaded and capped. The day I left the Grey I had a quarrel with I)r Jackson. He once gave me. in charge as being incapable of taking care of myself. I was in Nelson Hospital seven month* and three weeks. In GreymouthDr Jackson had me arrested again. I reached Black Bull Store in about five or six days. I was on foot. I camped out every night. I had my own provisions with me. The roadmen gave me some food near the Zinc-store. | Before I arrived at Mr Enys' I met a Sw«de. We had Borne conversation together. I did not tell him that I had found the body. I cannot Bay why I did not tell him. Whilst in Nelson hospital, Burgess or Sullivan told me that there was another body in the creek. If I am to go by the messages I get about the head chiefly at night, there must be some more bodies in the creek. I saw something on the wall which makes me think so. (Witness, who appeared to be labouring under some mental delusion, here incoherently described some visions which he imagined to have appeared to him.) It was these disturbances which induced me to leave the hut. I called to tip station cook who slept in the adjoining room, but received no answer, I went to Mr Enys, who returned with me to the hut. We found the cook sitting up in his bed. I asked him why he did not answer when I called. He said that he did not hear me. I again went to bed, but could not sleep, because I fancied that there was something the matter with the bed. I asked the cook if there was any blood on the bed. he said "No." I pulled down the blankets and a wool-pack, beneath which I found a pistol. The cook told me not to touch it. He said that fire-arms were not allowed on the station, and that the pistol had been taken from a chap near the shed. He then said that it belonged to a man at tbe accommodation house. The pistol was broken. The next day I missed it. [Witness continued to relate some delusions which passed through his mind.] I went to sleep in the hut, lint when the station hands came home, they refused to sleep with me because I had a revolver in my possession. They all laid hold of me and tied me up. Mr Enys released me. The revolver I speak of is my own. The pistol I found was taken away, I do not know by whom. The last time I spoke to anyone before I found the body, was to two men driving sheep, on the other side of Craigieburn. I was having breakfast at the time I found the body by chance. I had no vision to tell me it was there. No one spoke to me about it, or told me that it was there. I asked Mr. Enys to take my revolver after the hands had tied me up. I swear that I know nothing more about the body. Ido not know his name, nor can I give any description ot him.

By the Jury: I was confined in Nelson Hospital as being insane. I have not been drinking for some months. In Nelson Hospital, I had some curious visions, but nothing like those which I saw in the hut.

At this stage of the proceedings, the in. quest was adjourned until Tuesday naxt at 10 a.m., at the Royal Hotel. "~