CHARGE OF MURDER

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVIII, Issue 239, 6 September 1928, Page 8

CHARGE OF MURDER

KYEBURN DIGGING TRAGEDY. HARDIE BEFORE THE COURT. Per Press Association. .DUNEDIN, Sept. 6. When the Magistrate’s Court resumed at Naseby last evening for the hearing of the charge against William John Hardie, aged 25, of murdering Joe Leung Slium at the Kyeburn Diggings on July 17, before Mr H. J. Dixon, S.M., James Henry Forward, licensee of the hotel at Kyeburn, stated that Shum was the only Chinese working in the district. Michael Kitchen, labourer, stated that he had camped with the accused from May 5 to May 22. Accused had stated that he was in partnership with Jimmy Cains, goldmining. On July 14 witness saw Hardie, who asked where Shum lived, and witness directed him. He next saw accused on July 17 on the road from Naseby to Mount Buster proceeding towards the latter. Witness left Naseby and when halfway down saw a pedestrian whom he did not pass. This pedestrian would be about 2i miles from Shum’s hut. Walter Georgo, claim holder, stated that he had treated sand for gold for Hardie on July IG. He gave Hardie 6 dwt. of gold from the sand treated. Accused then said that he had been at Mount Buster since Sunday prospecting. Hardie asked him where the “chow” lived.

The hearing was resumed this morn* ing when Kathleen Louisa Fox, wife of Constable Fox, said that accused called on July 17, asking for the constable. He seemed to have a cold as he was hoarse. She referred him to the courthouse.

Constable Fox related the finding of the body of Shum. His hut was not ransacked. A drawer containing papers and letters was open, but a sum -of money in the receptacle was untouched. Witness had known accused who was on probation for four months. On July 17 he was expecting Hardie to report, and on leaving the courthouse saw- Hatdie, who handed liis paper to witness saying: “I want you to transfer me to Dunedin. I am not feeling too well, so I’ll go down and stop at my aunt’s place.” Witness replied that it would be better to stop in the country, but Hardie said that he was not making headway and in Dunedin his aunt would find him a job. Hardie seemed to be in ill-health, but he persisted that lie would travel. He was pale and trembling all over. Witness felt his hand and head which were very hot. The pulse was very rapid. Accused said that ho was going to ride to his hut that night to collect his belongings as ho was catching the Dunedin train in the morning. Ho said that he had been “crook” since returning from a visit to Dunedin, and had not been out of his hut since the previous Sunday. Accused was advised to lie up for a few days and witness could give him work. When witness was leaving next morning with the doctor for Kyeburn Diggings ho saw Hardie riding into Naseby. Accused said that lie had changed his mind about the transfer to Dunedin, but would stay there until ho was well, then returning to finish his fencing job for Allan Cains. Allan Cain, sheep farmer, stated that Hardie occupied a hut on his property from May 13 to July 18. At the end of J une accused asked Cain if he could sell gold for him as it was not convenient to go into Naseby, and witness agreed. Accused said that he got the gold “out there,” not specifying the place. At 6.20 p.m. on July 1.9 accused met witness at his shed door. Ho said that he had a touch of “flu” and was going to Dunedin next day, and asked for a lift into Ranfurly next morning. Witness gave him dinner, after which accused took three photographs from his pocket, one being of the exhibition. Accused then showed him some looso gold and a lump wrapped in paper and in a tobacco tin. Witness remarked that it was a nice piece. In reply to a question as to how lon git took to get the gold, Hardie said that it took five weeks’ hard slogging. 'Witness lent Hardie a pony, os for brandy and an oilskin coat. Hardie left at 7.45 p.m. Next morning he returned with his swag and witness motored him to Ranfurly. At the Bank of New South Wales witness .said: “Now, Bill, give me the gold; I will dispose of it for you.” Hardie handed the gold over to him.