SUSPECTED MURDLR.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 11646, 25 August 1905, Page 7

SUSPECTED MURDLR.

TheJTapanul Mystery.

(Per United Press Association.)

DUNEDIN, August 24.

It now turns' out that the Chinaman, Horn Sing Tong, found dead in his hut near Tapanui, was shot in the head. This was only discovered to-day, the previous examination being a hasty one, and made without the blood being washed from the face.

Circumstances point to the wound not having been self-inflicted. No firearms were found about the place. The man lived by himself on the outskirts of the town and was generally rospected. He was known to be possessed of money, and .£4B was found intact at the, head of his bed, while a watch and chain were found in his pocket.

There are two or three houses close by, and two persons state they heard a shot fired on Monday evening, between 9 and 10.

It seems improbable that the man made away with himself. A revolver was found in another room, but it was not loaded and was covered with dust. The whole case is at present a mystery.

The • inquest was continued- to-day. Evidence was given that deceased was about 60 years of age, and had resided in Tapa» nui for twenty years, having previously been a gold miner. Ah Chong, from Beaumont, called at deceased's home on Tuesday and' found the body, at once giving information' to the police.

Dr. Robertson in his evidence said a lamp had seemingly exploded, and the bed was burnod on the side nearest the window, where deceased had been lying. Pieces of a whisky bottle were lying about. There was a wound on the right cheek in the region of a large artery, and close to it a piece of a whisky bottle. Over tho left of the forehead was a large bruise. When the wound in the cheek was receive 1 Sing Tong must have been alive. Ti bruise on the forehead had been inflicts during life. It was a wound such : would be caused by a bullet. As the doctor had not found the bullet or made a complete post mortem examination, the inquest waa adjourned.