THE MURDER AT TEYIOT.

Otago Witness, Issue 1640, 28 April 1883, Page 9

THE MURDER AT TEYIOT.

(FBOM OUB OWN BBPOETER.)

Roxburgh, April 19fch.

As yet there is nothing fresh to communicate regarding the death of Ah Chin. The police have been occupied during the morning in taking the statement of Wah Xi, who was in the cave at the time of the occurrence. I am proceeding to the scene of the murder, and it is possible that some fresh information may be gathered from rabbiters about' the spot. It seems at present very difficult to direct suspicion to any particular person. There is little cause to discredit the statement of Wah Xi, who mu3t have made his way with some difficulty and danger down the face of the rocks to bring the news into Roxburgh. The probability is that the deed was committed by some rabbiters or lads in the district, who may have fired into the cave as an act of wanton mischief or for purposes of robbery. The inquest will not commence until 4 o'clock on Saturday, and it is most likely that a further adjournment will be necessary.

Unless some additional evidence is obtained between this and the inquest, there seems little chance of Ah Chin's murder being sheeted home to ■ any particular individual. A visit to the spot where the occurrence took place is a somewhat arduous undertaking, but the result certainly rewards the trouble taken. The cave where Ah Chin lived and met his death h situated in the midst of scenery as wild and picturesque as can well be imagined. The Molyneux here runs for many miles through a deep gorge, the sides of which rise like the rocky walls of a precipice to a height of many hundreds of feet. Following a downward track, which winds among the enormous boulders of which the incline is composed, the Chinaman's quarters are reached. Some considerable distance above the river, tho hollow beneath a huge overhanging rock has been built in with shingle and quartz in such a manner as to form a low cavern some 14ft deep, with a very narrow entrance. The shortest man could not stand upright in this habitation ; but it is nevertheless stocked with every necessary, and provision is also made for comfort in some degree. On a broad slab of rock in the far corner, forming the bunk, Ah Chin was lying when shot, and to cover him whilst in this position it would seem to have been necessary for the murderer to insert the muzzle of his gun actually into the entrance of the cave at the side of the matting which hung in front. The shot might possibly have been fired from the ledge of rock, a few feet away, but in that case it would have had to pass through the matting, which shows no signs of shot-holes. Wah Xi declares that after the shot, hearing footsteps outside, he was afraid to venture out, and eventually raado his way up to the road by an almost impracticable

path along the rocks. The gun used for the deed must in any case have been an exceedingly common one for the shot to spread as they have done in the short distance at which it was discharged. The cave inhabited by Wah Xi is Bituated some mile or so higher up the stream, in an equally wild spot. Before reaching it it is necessary to cross Shingle^ Creek, which rushes down the rocks in a series of cascades to join the Molyneux. Wah Ki's domicile is similarly fitted up in every respect. A search has of course been made in both caves, but nothing of importance has boon discovered. An empty powder-flask and the lid of a cap-box were, I have reason to believe, found in Wah Ki's cave, also a few roughlycast bullets. No £jun has, however, been found, and Wah Xi states that he never bad one. A couple of lads named Parker, engaged in rabbiting, are the nearest (next to Wah Xi) to the scene of the murder, but these have also no gun in their possession. About an ounce of gold was found in the possession of the deceased, but his mining implements are, strange to say, not at his cave. It is further rumoured that some complaints had been made by Ah Chin as to some of his tools having been stolen shortly before his death. There is so far, however, nothing but the vaguest suspicion as to the actual murderer.

April 20fch. The police have continued their efforts to obtain some clue as to the murder of Ah Chin, but nothiug of importance has yet transpired. Several police from Lawrence and elsewhere are now on the spot, besides Detective Bain ; and Inspector Weldon arrived by to-night's coach, and will remain until the inquest is over.

The direction inquiries have taken has been the examination of all diggers, settlers, rabbiters, &c. for a radius of some miles from the scene of the murder. What can be gathered by these means, however, does not tend to throw much light upon the matter. A Chinaman has been discovered working a claim a mile or two higher up the river, but he professes entire ignorance of anything that may have led to the murder. A gun was found in his possession, but it does not bear the appearance of having been recently discharged. The information to be gained from the few Europeans in the locality is equally vague and unsatisfactory. The deceased appears to have been a quiet man, and is not known to have made any enemies. The number of those who discredit Wah Ki's version of the affair is very few, although doubt is freely expressed in some quarters. The probability, however, is that the murder was committed by some European : possibly by one or more of the reckless lads who are to be found in these districts. Petty causes of quarrel with the Chinamen might easily arise, and it would be doubly difficult to trace the perpetrator of a murder committed on such trivial provocation.

Major Keddell will arrive here in the morning to hold the inquest. The police have, I believe, to-day discovered some circumstance not very favourable to Wah Xi, but it is unlikely anything will come of this.

April 21st. Major Keddell, the coroner, did not arrive at Roxburgh until after G o'clock to-night, having met with an accident on his way down from Clyde, and he was delayed in having to procure a fresh horse. The Major, on arriving; immediately proceeded to the Courthouse and commenced the formal part of the inquiry conceining the murder of Ah Chin. The jury having been duly empanelled, and Mr Charles Cooper chosen foreman, the Coroner apologised for the late hour of his arrival, and in his address to the jury said he regretted that the evidence to be brought forward was so meagre, but everything had been done that possibly could be done. As the body had been lying a considerable time, the jury would view it that evening so that it could be interred, and the inquest would then bo adjourned until 10 o'clock on Monday morning. The jury then proceeded with the Coroner to view the body, and were bound over to appear on Monday morning. On viewing the body it appeared that one rib was broken, the shot having penetrated the right cavity of the chest, and also deeply lodged in the lung and skull. The right breast and shoulder had also received a portion of the charge. The chest was full of blood, but there was no extensive hemorrhage. Inspector Weldon appeared to conduct the inquiry, and Wong Guy was present to interpret.

April 23rd. The inquest on the murdered man Ah Chin was resumed at the Courthouse at 10 o'clock this morning. Wong Gye was sworn in as an interpreter.

Ah Hee, storekeeper, Roxburgh, deposed : I knew the deceased Ah Chin for about 20 years. He has resided in this district about six or seven years. He was a miner, and lived on tho bank of the Clutha River. I last saw him alive about six or seven weeks ago, and about every two months he came to Roxburgh for "tucker." It was then I saw him last. He was a very quiet man to my knowledge. He has a nephew at Christchurch, and other more distant relatives here. He was always on good terms with his people. He always dealt with me. The deceased is indebted to me £16 or over. He sometimes sold his gold at the bank or Mr Mackay's. I don't know what quantities of gold he sold. The last time I saw him he paid me £5. He appeared to be on good terms with Europeans. I know Wah Ki. He was friendly to the deceased. I have known Wah Xi about 15 years in this Colouy and in this district. I think Ah Chin was over 50 years of age, a native of Canton, in China, and a single man. William Charles Hodges, private tutor to Mr M'Loughlin, Shingle Creek, deposed : I knew deceased Ah Cnin for the last six or seven years at Fourteen-mile Beach. I last saw him alive on Monday last, 16th inst., at Mr M'Loughlin's house at Shingle_ Creek, between 1 and 2 o'clock. He was then in company with Wah Xi, and left, going down the road with him. Deceased was a miner, working on the banks of the river. He lived about ono mile and a-half from M'Loughlin's. For the last three months he has lived alone in a cave. There are three or four other Chinamen digging near him. They also live in caves. He lived on good terms with his countrymen and Europeans. The deceased and Wah Xi appeared to be friendly with each other. I don't know whether Wah Xi had any firearms. He spoke once to me about firearms. That was last Mon-' day, when he asked me if I had my gun with me. I replied I had. By a Juryman : Wah Xi has had no chance of getting hold of my gun. At the time he asked me the 1 question I was outside of M'Loughlin's house, and my gun was in my bedroom. The deceased and Wah Xi came to M'Loughlin's to buy fowls. Wah Kij miner, Twelve-mile Beach : I knew deceased, Ah Chin, for 14 or 15 years. He was not a relative, but a friend. I lived about one mile distant from his cave. I was not a mate of his. We had separate claims. T was his nearest neighbour. Toong Chung resides at Fourteen- mile Beach, about three miles distant from deceased's caA c. I was with Ah Qhin on

Monday last. Ah Chin came to my place about 9 o'clock in the morning, and told me he had lost his mining tools, and asked me to come with him and make inquiry about his loss. We went up the range to look' for them. We could not find them. We met Mr Quayle, who resides about three miles from Ah Chin's cave. I said nothing to Mr Quayle about the loss of the tools, but asked him how he was getting on. We wont up the gully, and Ah Chin bought a duck from a European. We went then where we saw the last witness, and asked him how he was getting on — that's all ; and then asked the owner of the house if he had any fowls for sale, but he had none. From M'Loughlin's we went to Ah Chin's cave, and arrived about 4 o'clock in the afternoon. We killed the duck, cooked and ate it, and then we had some Chinese spirits. We drank together half a Chinese basin — that is, about a tumblerful between us. We also had some tea. After that I felt giddy, and went to bed. I left Ah Chin smoking opium on his bunk. We were both on the same bunk. Our heads were towards the door of the cave. I was nearest the door. There was a box behind my head. I fell asleep. I was awoke by a gun shooting. Then Ah Chin screamed, " A gun shoot me ! " and I saw his face bleeding. I then asked Ah Chin where the shot came from. He replied, " From the door." He then said, " I die, I die ! " I then peeped outside of the door of the cave, but saw no one there. I went outside, but did not see or hear anything. Before I went I heard a noise which I thought to be the footsteps of a man. I think it was about 7 o'clock when I awoke. There, was a light burning in the cave. I went back into the cave, and asked Ah Chin if he was in danger. Ah Chin said, "I am afraid I die." Then I said, " Can I go to Roxburgh, to tell your cousin and report it to the police ?" Ah Chin said, " All right." Then I left Ah Chin to go to Roxburgh. Ah Chin was alive when I left him. I heard dogs barking up the hill as I left; it was moonlight. I could not tell the distance they were from me ; it was a good way off. I reached the Chinese garden, Roxburgh, about 11 o'clock. I told Ah Chin's cousin — Kang Gon — all about it. We then went to Ah Hee's place before going to the police. This was about 12 o'clock. The distance is about 11 miles from Ah Chin's to the police-station. I did not go back ; I was too tired. I saw no person about Ah Chin's cave that day. I never saw him quarrel with anyone. Ah Chin lay higher on the bunk than I did, and there was a box at my head. That is how I account for my escape in the shot from the door, although Ah Chin was inside. There were no firearms in the cave at this time. I had no firearms in my cave, or in my possession. Lin Chun left the cave when I went into it. It was empty when I went into it. I know Lin Chun well. I was acquainted with him for about two months before I took possession of his cave. Lin Chun had a gun. He used to go rabbiting with it. He took it with him to Christchurch.

By the Foreman :' I did not try to stop the bleeding. We were both lying one way, with our heads towards the door.

Constable Poole, in his evidence, stated that deceased was quite dead and stiff when he arrived at the scene of the murder. He then gave a description of the cave and property found at the time. There was 14s in silver, loz sdwt of gold, and a silver watch. Hugh Kennedy Maclachlan: lam a legallyqualified medical practitioner, residing at Roxburgh. I made a post-mortem examination on the body of deceased on Wednesday last. I paid attention to the clothing on the body. On the upper part of his body he had a waistcoat and two shirts, which were perforated with shot. All over the right breast, cheek, and head I found numerous perforations. The second rib was broken, and the third rib splintered. I found the perforations as if produced by small shot discharged from some firearm. The fractured rib was caused by the shot. The whole of the muscular tissue over the right breast was reduced to a kind of pulp, and many of the pellets had perforated the cavity of the thorax. I also found the right cavity to be full of blood. I took about 20 shot from it. The wound on the breast, and especially the internal hemorrhage, was necessarily fatal. Deceased was a small, spare man, and organically healthy. I am of opinion that the deceased could not have survived such a wound more than one hour under any circumstances. He evidently survived about that time, for the whole body was drained of blood. The cause of death was internal hemorrhage, resulting from a gunshot wound in his right breast and lung. I have had experience in gunshot wounds, and I believe that the firearm that discharged the shot must have been fired at a short distance — say, four or five yards distance at the most. I found no other wounds or bruises.

By a Juror : The person firing must have been in front of him. If his head had been lying towards the door the shot must have come from the inside of the cave. James Mackay, merchant, Roxburgh : I have known the deceased Ah Chin for the last seven years. He has been in the habit of selling gold to me in quantities of not more than one ounce at a time. I saw him last about six weeks ago. The Jury, after a few minutes' retirement, returned the following verdict :— " That a certain person named Ah Chin was murdered by some person or persons unknown."