THE SUSPECTED MURDER AT AUCKLAND.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume IV, Issue 821, 18 December 1882, Page 2

THE SUSPECTED MURDER AT AUCKLAND.

The supposed murder of Hugh Hamilton is still the theme of general conversation in Auckland, where the sensational disclosures recently made have caused a profound sensation, while the case has now assumed a still graver aspect. Groat stress is laid upon the discovery of the bloodstained axe. Robert Neilson (Mrs Hamilton’s brother) found it on the morning of the sad affair, lying in a plot of grass between his house and that of his sister ; and a little girl says she saw Mrs Hamilton carrying it into her house behind a broom next morning. It is stated by persons well-known to the family that Mrs Hamilton a short time ago consulted a solicitor with the object of securing a divorce, and that at the same time she was on very intimate terms with Priestly. A more serious matter which is attracting public attention is the strange coincidence that on the day Hamilton died an infant of the family also departed this life, and was buried with it? father. This becoming publicly known outside caused much comment, and now there are not wanting many who assert that the child died an unnatural death. The police are called on to take this additional mystery in hand, and unravel it to the satisfaction of all. Gillman, an Onehunga chemist, relates a curious incident, which seems to have some bearing on the case;—“When I saw the report of the supposed murder case in the papers, I had recalled to mind an incident which occurred about six or seven weeks ago. A young man answering to the description given of Priestly came to ray store, and, making a few purchases, asked if he could be furnished with some strychnine, as he wished to send it up to a friend of his in the country for the purpose of killing Maori dogs, which were a great nuisance. I replied that ho could be supplied if he brought a reliable witness. He then left, and two days after, about 7-30 p. m., he again entered the shop with a female, who, not being (in Gillman’s opinion) a reliable witness, he declined to sell it. It has been decided to exhume the bodies of Hugh Hamilton and his child, when careful medical examination can be entered into, and the several points at present enveloped in mystery may be effectually cleared up. Priestly has boon in the Province of Auckland almost since childhood, having come from Hobart. His father, was an Englishman, and both his parents are dead. He has a brother resident in Northern Wairoa, Kaipara. It is stated that he was at one time servant to Father Paul, Onehunga. The Rev. Peter Mason states that Priestly was not a Presbyterian divinity student, but studying with him to pass the Arts examination, conditional to entering upon ministerial training;.