Supposed Murder.
DEATH OF A CHINAMAN.
Per Press Association. Dunedin, August 23
Ham Sing Tong was found dead in a hut at Tapanui yesterday afternoon by Ah Chong, another Chinaman. The body was badly burnt, and there was a large bruise on deceased's forehead. The inquest was adjourned pending inquiries and examination of the body.
The police are closely investigating the circumstances connected with the death of Ham Sing Tong. The body was very badly burned, the clothing being almost burned off. There was a bruise on the forehead and several cuts on the face, and a pool. of blood, about the bed. The floor was strewn with fragments of a bottle, and there were, fragments of a bottle on a shelf near the bed. The burns were evidently caused by the explosion of a lamp, found on the bed. -Taranaki Herald, 24/8/1905.
Murder at Tapanui.
A Chinaman Shot in the Head.
DUNEDIN, Aug. 25 It now turns out that the Chinaman, Ham 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, 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 township, and was generally respected. He was known to be possessed of money, and £48 was found intact at the head of his bed, while his watch and chain were in his pocket. There are two or three small houses close by, and two persons state that they heard a shot on Monday evening between 9 and 10 o'clock. 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 the deceased was about 60 years of age, and had resided in Tapanui for twenty years, having previously been a gold miner. Ah Chong, from Baaumont, called at deceased's home on Tuesday, and found the body, at once giving information to the police. Dr Robertson in his evidence said that he found on the floor in the bedroom a pool of blood chiefly arterial. A lamp had seemingly exploded, and the bed was burned on the side nearest the window where the deceased had been lying. Pieces of a whisky bottle were lying about. On the left side of the body the clothes were all charred and portions of flesh were burned a little. There was a wound on the right cheek in the region of a large artery, and close to it a piece of the whisky bottle glass. Over the left of the forehead was a large bruise. When the wound in the cheek was received Sing Tong must have been alive. The bruise on the forehead had been inflicted during life. He found a small wound on the left corner of the mouth. He found a little clue in the marks as if of gunpowder, and he removed two or three grains. The wound penetrated the large vessels of the neck, including the jugular vein. It is a wound such as would be caused by a bullet. As the doctor had not found the bullet or made a complete post mortem examination, the inquest was adjourned. -Ashburton Guardian, 25/8/1905.
THE TAPANUI TRAGEDY.
THE INQUEST CONTINUED.
VERDICT OF WILFUL MURDER.
(By Our Special Reporter.) TAPANUI, August 25. Apart from what has been disclosed in evidence during the three occasions on which the Coroner's Court has sat very little can be said concerning the. shooting and burning of the Chinaman Ham Sing Tong. He appears to have been generally regarded as a man worth about a couple of hundred pounds, and as nothing is held in his name by local banks, the assumption is that he kept his money in the house in which he resided. So far only £70 or £80 has been discovered there, so that there is a substantial sum still unaccounted for. From the evidence given to-day it would appear that Sing Tong habitually earned a roll of notes, generally about £10, about with him, and this sum it would have been thought would have been found in the pockets of his clothing. Search has, however, failed to discover any money in that direction, and it seems probable that it has been taken by his visitors of Monday night.
Taking all the circumstances into consideration, the only conclusion possible appears to be that there has been foul play, and premeditated foul play at that. Various theories arc advanced as an explanation of the old man's shocking death, but they are only theories after all. It seems more than probable, however, that he was first attacked with the bottle, and that notwithstanding the heavy blow he received on the head, a blow that was sufficient to break the bottle, he resisted the attempt at robbery, and caused his assailants to use a more deadly weapon. Then would come a decision to hide all traces of the crime, and the old device of fire may, and very probably did, suggest itself with lightning rapidity to the mind of the perpetrator of the deed. It is no stretch of imagination to conceive of the body being placed in a sitting posture on the bed and an effective method of firing the place being sought for. The lamp containing kerosene would afford the means, and the supposed explosion of the lamp might very well be set aside in favour of the idea that it was deliberately broken and the kerosene thrown upon the bedclothes near the body, and then fired. It is singular that if the lamp burst the globe should have been found lying on the bed uninjured. The inhuman wretch guilty of the atrocity would have to work speedily. He would realise that with houses close at hand the shot would be heard, and that every moment he remained there was fraught with peril to himself. That would be quite sufficient to explain away the money which was readily found not being taken. There was not time to make even a hasty search. The finding of the body on the floor is not difficult to account for cither. When it is remembered that the rigidity that follows death had not set in, it would be natural the body should not, after the assassin had left, keep its position on the bed, but that it should sway forward, fall to the floor, and be found as it was with feet on the bed and head away from it. The affair looks as if premeditated from the fact that it is not usual for peaceably-disposed persons to carry firearms about with them, and there can be no question but that whoever visited the old man's home that night went armed and prepared for any emergency. This is, of course, merely a theory, but it certainly appears to be a very reasonable one.
The police are still investigating the matter, but from the remarks of Inspector O'Brien at the close of the inquest, which resulted in a verdict of wilful murder against some person or persons unknown, they do not appear to have got any strong clue as to the identity of whoever committed the atrocious act. It may be, however, that they know more than they care to disclose, as they would not, for obvious reasons, spoil any chance they have of bringing the offender to book by giving publicity to matters that they feel they are in duty bound to keep closely to themselves if they wish to succeed in their quest.
THE INQUEST CONTINUED. The inquest touching the death of Ham Sing Tong, who was found dead in his house on the outskirts of the township on Tuesday morning, was resumed this afternoon before Mr W. Quin, S.M. (coroner), and a jury of six, of whom Mr John MacFarlane was foreman. Inspector O'Brien watched the proceedings on behalf of the police.
Dr Robertson, continuing his evidence, said he had finished the post mortem examination that morning. He had followed up the course of the bullet wound, and found that the bullet had penetrated the spinal column and passed through it in a downward direction and towards the right. He traced the bullet 2in further, still going downwards and towards the right, into the soft muscle tissue of the back, between the shoulder blades, and found the bullet produced just in front of the upper part of the right shoulder blade. Witness examined the body internally, and found all the organs healthy and normal, but there was a rib broken on the right side. The bullet was evidently what was known as a 32 calibre long bullet, and would fit either certain kinds of revolvers or certain kinds of Remington rifles. He had no reason to alter his opinion as to the bullet wound being the cause of death.
Inspector O'Brien: Assuming that the charring of the body took place while it was lying on the floor, how do you account for the charring on the bed-tick? — Witness: The charring on the bed-tick was just exactly above where the woollen mat which was lying on the floor was charred, and is exactly above the spot where, I fancy, the burning had begun on the body — that is, at the thigh. There is a possibility of kerosene having flowed down from the bed to the body, or the flame may have spread from the body up to the bed.
You are quite satisfied there is no need for your making any further examination of the body? — I am quite satisfied. And there is nothing further you ran possibly ascertain by further examination? — No.
A Juryman: Was the body shifted after the burning? — Witness: No; I don't think it was shifted. I think it has laid exactly upon the same spot as where the burning had begun.
That was away from the body, was it not? — That was on the floor, just exactly under where the bed had caught fire. I might as well explain to the jury that the shot through the spinal column would cause instantaneous paralysis of the arms and lower parts of the body, and deceased would not be able to move after being shot. Immediately on being shot he must have fallen. Although he might have lived, he would be powerless to move.
Archibald Currie, the next witness, said he resided near Sing Tong's place, and could see his premises from his door. He saw Sing Tong about 9 o'clock in the morning of Tuesday, and again about 4 o'clock in the afternoon. That was close to his own house. Witness went to bed about 9 o'clock, and before this, between half-past 5 and 6 o'clock, he saw Sing Tong putting his horse into the stable. About dark the same evening witness saw two rockets so off, but could not say who let them off. He did not see anyone about Sing Tong's that day or evening. He did not hear any noise after going to bed. The rockets were fired off from Sing Tong's house. He was in the habit of letting them off.
Charles Robert Aburn, contractor at Tapanui, said he knew deceased very well. He last saw him alive on Saturday, between 10 and 11 a.m., down at his (witness's) shop. There were then no scratches or bruises about deceased's face, and he appeared to be in very good health, by the way he was laughing and talking. He went home about 11 o'clock. Witness paid £14 13s. on the l4th inst. in 14 single notes, four halfcrowns, and three single shillings. Witness did not then see that he had any other money with him. Witness did not think deceased carried much money about with him, but he had money in the home, though to what extent witness could not say.
David Dackers, miller at Tapanui, stated that he knew Sing Tong. He last saw him alive on Monday morning about 11 o'clock, going from the direction of his own house towards the township. Witness spoke to him, and he had no scratches or bruises on his face, and appeared quite well. That night witness standing at the door of his mill, after seeing everything was right, and heard a shot fired straight from Sing Tong's house. The time would then be 20 minutes past 10 or half-past 10. Witness expected that after this Sing Tong would let off crackers; but none were let off, and he (witness) was then sure it was the sharp crack of a shot he had heard, and he took no more notice. There were some young people who used to go to Sing's place of a night to get tobacco or something of that kind. That was the only thing witness was aware of. Deceased always kept his doors locked. Witness had called at Sing's place in passing, and found the door locked. Deceased used to carry money about with him. He had paid witness some money about three weeks ago, and witness had then cautioned him that he would get into trouble, and that someone would rob him if he carried so much money. He generally had something like £10 rolled up in notes when he paid witness an account.
A Juryman: You never saw firearms about the place? — Witness: No. He had a fowling-piece about the place, and sold one over a year ago. He carried his money inside his vest.
Sarah Dackers, wife of David Dackers, jun., deposed that on Monday she returned to her home at 20 minutes past 10 in the evening, and very soon afterwards went to bed. She had not been many minutes in bed when she heard a shot, and remarked to her husband that it was a funny time for people to be shooting. The sound came from the direction of Sing Tong's. She did not hear a noise of any description. She did not meet anyone on the road that night when going home.
David Dackers, jun., residing about 150 yds from Sing Tong's house, stated that on the Monday night, about 20 minutes past 10, he went to bed, and very shortly afterwards his wife drew his attention to the shot being fired. He had often noticed other Chinamen knocking about Sing Tong's place, and also Europeans on different occasions. Strange Chinamen came there — sometimes two or three. He did not recollect seeing any disorderly scenes about the place. He had not been to the deceased's place after night, and could not therefore say whether be kept his doors locked or not. Witness did not hear any noise at the place after the shot was fired.
To the jury: It was a clear, quiet night, and the shot was very distinct It sounded like a heavy report.
Constable Cowan, continuing his evidence, said the room where he found the body was on the left-hand side as he entered by the front door. There was no inside pocket to the vest. He found a part of the trousers on the side at the foot of the bed. They were not disturbed, and there was no money in the pockets of these. The bottom part of the bowl of the lamp was broken. The globe was unbroken. This was lying on the bed close to the pillow, where deceased's back would be if he were lying down. The unbroken part of the bowl of the lamp was in line with the globe, but nearer the edge of the bed. It was on the bed. The part carrying the wick was between the globe and the unbroken part of the bowl of the lamp. The lamp was evidently usually kept on a box at the head of the bed. The bedclothes consisted principally of coloured blankets. These were burnt, but not badly, on the edge. The ticking of the mattress was burnt through, exposing the chaff, but there was nothing to show that the latter had been ignited. On entering the place witness found the body with the feet towards the bed and the head against the leg of the table. The body was on its right side, the left arm being almost straight by the side of the body, and the right arm bent forward under the body. In the right hand was clenched a piece of white flannelette about the size of a pocket handkerchief. This was twisted to the right. The undershirt was burned more than the outer one, the latter being buttoned right up to the neck. There was a chest of drawers in the left corner of the room with two drawers in it, and one of these was partly out. There was a window in the room, but it was covered with cobwebs, and had evidently not been interfered with. There was nothing to show that any of the windows had been interfered with. Witness found a revolver in the back bedroom in a cardboard box on a shelf. He examined the revolver, which had evidently not been discharged for a long time. The chambers were full of dust, and also the barrel, and the weapon would not work even if it were loaded. No ammunition was found. When witness discovered the body he found- tin containing 4s worth of coppers in one of the drawers of the chest mentioned, and in the same drawer he found a tin in which were two threepenny pieces. Ho also found 6s in silver on the shelves — 10s 6d altogether. On the 24th inst, witness found in a box at the head of the bed £17 in notes, one of them being a £5 note. In the same box he found two parcels of gold, and also some silver, of the value of £46. Today he found a bag at the foot of the bed behind some boxes containing £24 19s 6d in silver. There was originally a key of the outer door by which witness entered, and there was also a key of the bedroom, where he found the body of deceased, and keys of the other outer doors. The key of the outer door by which witness entered was missing but there was a key which locked and unlocked this door in the kitchen door.
The Coroner: Has this house been used as an opium den? Do the Chinese resort there for the purpose of smoking opium? Witness: It is very hard to tell, but my belief is that it has not been used for opium-smoking for a considerable time.
Do you know if this place has been used as a sly grog-shop? — There are rumours about Tapanui that I take no notice of.
Inspector O'Brien: Or a gaming house? — Witness: It is not known as a gaming house.
Inspector O'Brien said he had no other witnesses to call, and he did not know of any other persons who could throw any light upon the cause of death, or, at any rate, show by whom death was caused. Several persons had boon interviewed so far, but nothing had been elicited which would tend to indicate the person by whom death was caused. That being so, ho did not know that any good purpose could be served by prolonging the inquest. The inquiry might, however, go on all the same. There appeared to be little doubt to his mind as to the cause of death, but the difficulty now was by whom that death had been caused, and he did not know that he could, either in the present or the near future, enlighten the jury upon that point. Of course it was entirely a matter for the coroner and the jury to say whether the inquiry should be further adjourned. Any evidence that might be discovered could be used before another tribunal; and even if it was used in the coroner's court, it would have to be repeated before that other tribunal before anything effective could be done.
The Coroner said the jury had arrived at such a stage now that unless members of it desired any further inquiry made or further evidence called they would probably terminate the proceedings. The police acting in the matter appeared to be thoroughly satisfied, because Inspector O'Brien had said he did not know that any good purpose would be served by proceeding further. The jury's remaining duty, as far as he could see, unless they required further evidence, was to arrive at a verdict. There was very little doubt as to how the unfortunate man had met his death, and he hoped some solution of the affair would be arrived at. However, as far as the jury's duties were concerned, they had simply to arrive at a verdict.
The Jury then consulted together very briefly, and returned verdict "That Ham Sing had been wilfully murdered by some person or persons unknown."
The Coroner then thanked the jury for the attention it had given to the case, and complimented the police on the way they had forwarded the inquiry. He hoped the charge would be sheeted home to the guilty party. No doubt a serious crime had been committed. So far as the records of the court went, it was nearly 40 years since there had been a similar case, and then the police had not succeeded in sheeting the charge home. -Otago Daily Times, 26/8/1905.
The Tapanui Murder.
An Arrest.
(Per Press Association)
DUNEDIN, This Day. The police have arrested Thomas Stott, said to be a half-caste with Australian aboriginal blood in his veins, on a charge of being concerned in the murder of Ham Sing Tong at Tapanui. -Manawatu Standard, 28/8/1905.
The Tapanui Murder.
United Press Association — Per Electric Telegraph.
Dunedin, Aug. 30 George Hill Bromley, arrested in connection, with the murder of Ham Sing Tong, at Tapanui, was brought before the Court yesterday, and remanded till Tuesday. It appears he lived with Stott in a hut on the property of Bromley's father, two miles and a half from Tapanui. A revolver was found in the hut. A portion of their wearing apparel has been handed to Dr Robertson for examination. -Ashburton Guardian, 30/8/1905.
THE ACCUSED COMMITTED FOR TRIAL.
TAPANUI, September 15. Thomas Stott and George Hill Bromley were again brought before Mr S. L. McCarthy this morning on the charge of having wilfully murdered Ham Sing Tong at Tapanui on the 21st August. Mr J. F. M. Fraser appeared for the prosecution, and Mr A. C. Hanlon and Mr A. G. C. Miller for the accused.
John George Redditt, labourer, living at Manse Bush, near Tapanui, said he knew Sing Tong, and used to work for him. About three weeks before his death deceased changed a five-pound note for witness. He put his hand in his jumper pocket and changed the note for witness. Witness knew the two accused. About two months ago witness was in George Bromley's company, and witness's brother James was also present. They shot a deer, took it home, skinned it, and cut it up. George Bromley got the hindquarter, which was put into a sugar bag. Bromley asked witness for the loan of a belt, and witness lent him one. Bromley took it away from witness's hut, and said he would return it next time he came out, but witness had never seen it again until it was shown by the police. The belt produced was the belt witness gave to George Bromley. He was positive of it. He could tell it by the way he had mended it. The strap was in good order when Bromley got it, and intact, save where witness mended it three months ago. Witness went to Sing Tong's about a week before his death, and bought a silk handkerchief from him. He slept in a hut at home on the 21st with his brothers Bill and Jim. That was about three miles from Tapanui.
James Redditt, jun., said he was in Tapanui on the 21st August, and spent the evening at Milnes, going straight from Milne's to his own home, and reaching there about a quarter past 12. His brother John was in bed asleep. "Witness was one of the party who shot the deer about three months ago. George Bromley's portion was put into a sugar bag, and it was tied with a strap for slinging at the top and bottom corners. Could not swear to his brother's strap.
William Redditt, employed at the State nursery, Tapanui, said he slept in the same hut with his brother, John Redditt. He was at home on the night of the 21st August, and went to bed early. Remembered his brother coming home. It would be about 10 o'clock, and he went to bed. The strap produced belonged to his brother John. Witness saw him repairing the strap.
Charles Edgar Bromley (recalled) said that when Stott gave him the pound at Heriot, after leaving McDonald, he said he had got some money from McDonald. He did not say how much. After Stott was arrested, witness's brother George said he had better be getting away home, because mother would be wondering where he was, as he had said he would be home to tea.
Alexander Sinclair Bromley, 14 years of age, said he lived with his parents. Accused George Bromley was his brother. Stott came to their place about two months ago. He saw him empty his swag out. He (Stott) had a white muffler in his swag. He put it on his neck, and was knocking about the house with it. Witness saw all the things in the swag tumbled out in a heap.
Detective Cooney said he came to Tapanui in connection with the murder on the 24th August. From information received respecting another matter which he had been previously inquiring into at Tapanui, he obtained a search warrant, and with Inspector O'Brien and Constable Cowan executed it at the hut occupied by the two accused. The warrant was to search for property alleged to have been stolen. They found none of the stolen property. While the search was being made witness saw a revolver in a gun case. In answer to witness's question Stott said it was his. Accused Bromley was not present at the time of the search. Inspector O'Brien asked Stott if he was in Tapanui on the night of the 21st August, and Stott replied: "George Bromley and I went into Tapanui. We went to the hall where there was a boxing match going on, but we did not go in. We left Tapanui about half-past 8 o'clock, and got home about 9 o'clock." Inspector O'Brien asked Stott where he was on the 23rd August, and he replied: "I went to Heriot to a football match.'' In reply to another question about money, Stott said: "I had only 7s. I paid McCann 2s 6d out of that for my coach fare. That was all the money I had that day. Witness subsequently asked accused, "Where did you get all the money you were spending at Heriot that day?" He replied, "I had no money." Witness said. "Is it true you cashed some notes at the football match?" He replied, "If I cashed notes I don't know where I got them. I suppose someone must have lent me some money. I was drunk at the football match, and I don't remember getting money from anyone." Stott said. "On Thursday, August 24, Snowy and I went to Heriot. We drove in a trap. I got more whisky at Heriot. Returned back to Tapanui the same day. I got drunk and laid out all night. It was raining, and I got wet through and I feel very bad." On the 27th August Inspector O'Brien, Constable Cowan, and witness went to accused's hut about 4 p.m. Neither of the accused were at home. Witness took possession of a pair of dungaree trousers which he subsequently handed to Constable Cowan, a revolver, and a gun case containing a shotgun. They left there and came in towards Tapanui. When near Brugh's camp witness saw the two accused coming along the road from the direction of the township. Constable Cowan and witness stopped Stott, searched him. and witness told him he was charged with the wilful murder of Ham Sing Tong at Tapanui on Monday night, August 21. He said, '"If you want me I suppose I will have to go with you." They then took him to the police station and placed him in the lockup. About 7 o'clock the same evening witness was assisting Constable Cowan to give accused his tea. He said, "It's a terror to be locked up, but I suppose it has to be done." Witness escorted accused as far as Clinton on August 28. When at Waipahi Railway Station accused said, "I have been thinking about that money. I think I got it from Billy Connor at Heriot, but I am not sure." A little after midday on Monday, August 28, Inspector O'Brien and witness went to Brugh's camp. Witness was having a conversation with Charlie Bromley, and the went to meet George Bromley, who was coming from his work. When witness had finished his conversation with Charles Bromley he joined the inspector and accused George Bromley. The Inspector said. "He still denies having purchased that box of cartridges." Witness said to accused, "Do you deny having bought a box of cartridges at Anderson's store on last Saturday night week, the 19th?" He replied, "Yes." Witness then said, "If the man at Anderson's store says you bought a box of cartridges .32 long on Saturday night week, is he right or is he wrong?" Accused replied, "Yes, I bought a packet of cartridges .32 long that night, at Anderson's store." Witness asked what weapon he used them in, and he replied, "I borrowed a rifle from young Chandler. I fired some of the cartridges at rabbits, and the remainder into a tree." Witness then said they would go to Chandler's and see the rifle. When they got to Chandler's house young Chandler was not at home and they then took the accused to the police station. Found no 32 long cartridges in accused's hut when it was searched on the 26th. The back road from Sing Tong's house to Bromley's hut was almost straight and, walking at a fair pace, it took witness and Detective Hill 25 minutes to walk from one place to the other.
Detective Hill said he came to Tapanui on August 29 in connection with the case. Saw accused George Bromley in the police cells, Tapanui. He asked witness when he would be going to town, and witness told him the next day. He said, "When will I be back in Tapanui?'' and witness replied, "On Tuesday next." He said, "I am innocent of this charge. Tom Stott and I were in the township on the night the Chinaman was killed. We were talking to Alick McQueen at McCann's Corner, and left him about, 8 o'clock, and went home. On reaching home I went inside, and stayed there for about half an hour. When I went into our hut Stott was in bed. Witness said he would be all right if he could prove he was not there, and he said: "Bob White can prove we were not there, as he caught up to us on the road, and rode a piece of the road with us, and then cantered on." On the afternoon of witness's arrival at Tapanui Constable Cowan handed him a stained cloth. He would say it was bloodstained. It was clotted and partially burnt. Witness washed the cloth out in the presence of Constable Cowan with a view to its possible identification. Witness pinned it on to a large sheet of paper (produced). Witness would say it was the remains of a white muffler for the neck. He would also say it had been folded up as if worn round the neck. There was a piece cut off the corner. Received another white handkerchief from Mrs Bromley on the 8th inst. It was the same size and texture as the other. It was, witness believed, the ordinary size for mufflers.
Constable Lopdell said he escorted Stott from Tapanui to Dunedin on August 23. Stott referred on several occasions to the charge preferred against him. He said he and Bromley were in the township on the Monday evening, and left to return home about 9 o'clock. He said: "I heard the shot was fired about 12 o'clock. Bromley and I were at home in bed then." He referred to the football match. He said: "They are making a lot out of me having a few pounds at the football match on Wednesday. I had 7s 6d when I left Tapanui. I paid half a crown for my seat in the coach, and shouted drinks at Heriot."' He said: "I ran out of cash, and was nearly drunk, when I saw a chap whom I knew. I asked how he was off for cash, and he said, 'You can have whatever you want — £3, if you want it.'" Witness asked him why he would not subpeona that man as a witness, and he said: "I only know him by sight; I don't know his name." He said: "I don't remember getting the money from him just then, but whatever money I had after that I must have borrowed from someone." Witness also escorted Bromley to the Dunedin Gaol on August 30, and he also conversed with witness while going down. He said: "Stott and I were in the township on Monday evening after tea. We met early (about 9 o'clock), as it was cold." 'He said: "Bob White, who was on horseback, overtook us, and walked to near the house with us. I remember my people were in bed, but mother called out, 'There, is a cup of hot coffee in the coffeepot before you go to bed.' I did not see any of them in the house, and Stott and I went straight to bed." When Stott referred to not remembering borrowing the money, he said it was in consequence of his being very drunk.
Jessie Dackers, wife of David Dackers, said she remembered Constable Cowan and Detective Hill coming to her son's house on the evening of August 30. Detective Hill took away a rifle from a corner of the spare room. No one had handled it so far as witness knew.
John Farringion, gold miner, said he lived near Redditt's, at Manse Bush. He knew John Redditt well. Was under the impression he was in his (witness's) place on the night of Monday, August 21. Witness's memory was not so good as it used to be. Should not be surprised if he came about 6 o'clock if he came at all. Witness was 73 years of age. Redditt usually left witness's place between half-past 9 and 10.
This concluded the evidence, and Mr Hanlon having intimated that he did not propose to offer any remarks at present, the accused were cautioned in the usual way.
Mr Hanlon said accused reserved their defence, and Stott and Bromley were then committed to take their trial at the next criminal sitting of the Supreme Court. -Otago Witness, 20/9/1905.
Tapanui
Murder Case. — There are no fresh developments in the Ham Sing Tong case to record, and the excitement occasioned by the cowardly deed has abated. The local feeling is strongly expressed that the guilty ones may be brought to justice, for poor old Sing Tong had a merry laugh for all as he plied round with his vegetable cart. He was one of the few Celestials who seemed to find pleasure in conversing on the customs of his country, and was generous-hearted. -Otago Witness, 27/9/1905.
THE TAPANUI MURDER.
TWO ACCUSED ACQUITTED.
[PRESS ASSOCIATION.] DUNEDIN. November 24. The trial of Stott and Bromley, on a charge of having murdered Ham Sing Tong, at Tapanui, was concluded, no evidence being called for the defence. After over an hour's retirement the jury returned to ask whether a verdict of "not proven" was equivalent to that of "not guilty." His Honor said it was exactly the same. The jury then retired and returned with a verdict of not guilty. -Hawera and Normanby Star, 25/11/1905.
Alfred Hanlon must have been on form that day in court. He addressed the jury for 90 minutes, after having called no witnesses in the defence of his clients.
Tom (or Charles) Stott went on to feature in what was known in 1908 as "the Edendale Shooting Case" - wounding Mary Brown by shooting through a door in her home. Alcohol was involved. He was sentenced to five years' jail. He later made appearances in the Invercargill court on charges of drunkenness and vagrancy.
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