A WELLINGTON TRAGEDY

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1275, 28 June 1886, Page 2

A WELLINGTON TRAGEDY

Wellington, Jane 27

The body of a man named Mullens, who formerly kept the Clyde Quay Hotel at Oriental Bay, was taken out of the Harbor close to the breastwork at the Lion Foundry at noon to-day. There was a cut across tha head, and, as foul play is suspected, a laborer named John Roberts has been arrested on suspicion of having caused Mullen s' death. Mullens had been missing since Friday night

Later, The following are farther particulars of the alleged murder:—Roberta, wh'o had been lodging at Mullens’ boarding-house, Pliiiimer’a Steps, left there with Mullens on Friday afternoon, and the two men were drinking about town. Late in the afiernoon Mullens bought a seconi-hand overcoat, which he put on and buttoned every button. The men then left in the direction of the Lion Foundry,-and. s > far as ts known at present, that was the last time Mullens was seen alive. Roberts returned to his lodgings, having with him the coat Mullens had bought with him, and in reply to a question from Mrs Mullens a-i to the whereabouts of her husband accuaedgjald, “ Ob, I’ve settled for him.” Mullens not returning home, Inquiries were made, but it was not until this afternoon that the body was found, and it was brought to the surface of the water by the anchor of a yacht just getting under weigh. The coat has been torn in several places, which shows that a straggle must have taken place, aud Mullens’ body bears marks of violence. The left eye is black and cut, and blood baa been oozing from the month Mullens was about thirty-five years of age Roberts glvoi hla age as fifty-five, though he does not look it, and stoutly denies his guilt, stating that he does not remember what became of Mullens after they left the Branch Motel.