SAD ENDING TO A LARCENY PROSECUTION.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 1, Issue 141, 19 August 1880, Page 2

SAD ENDING TO A LARCENY PROSECUTION.

A ROMEO AND JULIET EPISODE. [BY TELEGRAPH. | Wellington, Aug. 18. The case against Matthew - Henderson, for alleged larceny as a bailee and em, bezzlernent, committed at Christchuvchhad a sad ending to-day. Henderson had been apprehended some days ago on a telegram from Christchurch, but had been released, the Magistrate finding that he could not be apprehended on the authority of a telegram. He was again apprehended, however, on two other charges of larceny and and>was twice remanded. At the Court this morning he did not appear when his name was called, and a warrant for his arrest was issued. On a detective going to the Empire Hotel at noon to arrest him, he found the door locked. On breaking it open, he discovered Henderson and a young lady named Bligh (supposed to be the daughter of a stonemason in Ohsistchurch) lying on the bed, apparently dead. It was ascertained that they had taken strychnine. Ed otics were at once applied, but without avail in the case of Henderson, who died in a few minutes. The lady is still alive, but in a critical condition. Later. The suicide to-day caused quite a sensation in town. Miss Bligh is reported to bo out of danger. Henderson was thirty years of age and the lady nineteen. Both are said to be respectably connected at Christchurch. ( A letter found on deceased shows the act was premeditated. . An inquest will be held oh Friday morning. :