MYSTERIOUS CASE OF SUPPOSED SUICIDE.

Auckland Star, Volume I, Issue 156, 9 July 1870, Page 2

MYSTERIOUS CASE OF SUPPOSED SUICIDE.

(From the Melbourne Telegraph.) It will no doubt be remembered that some time since a M. Charles D'Aloustel, a professor of languages residing" in Collins-street East, near the residence of Mr. Wragge, chemist, was charged, bsfore the City Police Court, with, having indecently as-aulted a little girl named Smith, the daughter of a baker living and carrying on business in a lane alongside Mr. Wragg's house, and between Collins-street and Flinders lane. The evidence did not support the charge, and the accused was discharged ; and like everything else the affair was a nine days' wonder to all but those who were immediately connected with it, or with the chief personages in the charge. But although the public, as usual, lost sight of it, the principal actors in the affair— or at least one of them, does not seem to have regarded it in the light of a trivial affair but, on the contrary, it appears to have made a deep impression on his mind. Low spirits have alternated with unnatural excitement in the mind of M. D'Aloustel, who was apparently of a 'naturally excitable temperament. His friends made searching inquiries into the facts of the accusation, and the results of these were, it is, stated, such as to convince them that there was no truth in the accusation preferred against hira. Nevertheless, the charge made a deep impression of disgrace on a sensative nature, and the assurances of the continued confidence of his friends did not remove all its effects i'roin M. D'Alonstel, who refused to be comforted. Still there was nothing in his manner to lead his friends to anticipate that he was so much affected as to meditate putting an end to his existence. It was, therefore, a surprise to them yesterday, when it became known that circumstances had been discovered such as to lead to the almost inevitable supposition that he had committed suicide. About two o'clock a man named Edward Frost discovered on the banks of the Yarra, at the back of the residence of Mr. 0. E. Bright, South Yarra, a portion of v suit of clothes, sinco identified as those of M. D'Aloustel. There was a black frock coat, and an overcoat, a white hat, of the " bell-topper " shape, a black silk necktie, and a red silk scarf. Frost at once conveyed information to the police, and, on examination of the clothes, there was found in them a pocket - book containing £338, principally in notes, a £e\r postage stamps, and some memoranda and documents identifying the property with M. D'Aloustel. During the day the police and others were busily employed in" dragging the river for the body, but were unsuccessful up to a late hour, although there seems but little reason for coming to any other conclusion than that the unfortunate circumstances above referred to have so preyed upon the mind of M. D'Aloustel as to induce him to take his own life. This supposition is strengthened by the fact that, he has not been seen since Monday last, when lie was seen early in the afternoon leaving his house, but apparently in his usual state of mind, although some neighbours who noticed him at the time mention that he appeared a little w lder in appearance than usual. ,M. D'Alouslel was by profession a French advocate, but since his residence in the colony has been engaged as a professor of languages. He was generally very popular, from his quiet unassuming manner, and seems to have lived a very quiet life. He resided by himself in a cottage in Colliusstreet east,, near Mr. Wragge's, and devoted himself to quiet pursuits. The search for the body mil be continued to-day, and as soon as it is recovered, an inquest will probably divulge all particulars. ,