The body of Him Fung, a cook from Echuca who had lived in Australia for up to twenty years, was found in the Government Pit on the morning of 24 November 1914 by William Schofield while digging out sand. Him Fung had, detectives concluded, experienced 'rough handling prior to death' (death was caused by 'haemorrhage and shock') and had been seen in the company of 'some Chinese sailors' the previous night - possibly from the crew of the Navarino, which was then anchored 'about 40 yards from the spot where he was found thrust into the ground'. There were suggestions that Him Fung had attempted to sell opium supplied by Navarino crew, and also that he may have alerted police to the possession of this drug amongst crew members (two sailors were fined for this offence). He had been a member of the Chinese Masonic Society: a badge found on his body led detectives to the Society and thence to his friend Charlie Tung, who identified him. 'The circumstances of the tragedy are surrounded with so much mystery that it is doubtful if the matter will ever be cleared up,' opined the Adelaide Observer.
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