ALMOST INCREDIBLE.—A NEW CRIME.

Auckland Star, Volume I, Issue 190, 18 August 1870, Page 2

ALMOST INCREDIBLE.—A NEW CRIME.

The following statement is from tho Portland (Maine) Argus, of Monday : —There would seem to be but little doubt but that a most shocking crime was committed in connection with the sail-boat disaster in our harbor last Monday, by which three men lost their lives. One of the victims, Mr. Rogers of Boston, was known to have on his person quite a large sum of money, a gold watch, valuable pin, &c. He was found floating on the surface soon after the accident by a boy in a wherry. Of course the lad could not raise him into his frail craft, but he attached a rope to the body and towed it to the shore. None of the property was found upon the person. It is said that when the boy found him there were signs of life ; that though the head was under the water the hands were still paddling convulsively, and this is strengthened from the fact that the man was at the surface. But it appears that just after the accident one of the victims, supposed to be Rogers, as he was a good swimmer, was seen to be sustaining himself; a schooner in the vicinity hove-to, and a boat containing two men put off. It reached the man in the water, and after for some little space of time, the boat returned to the schooner, which sailed away. This latter part of it was witnessed by t**e boy in the wherry, who got the body to the shore, and the whole thing was seen by parties in a boat not far away. From those premises the unavoidable deduction is that Mr. Rogers was picked up in a half-drowned condition, robbed, and thrust back into the water again. It semis too horrible for belief, but such terrible crimes arc almost daily recorded that there appears to be almost no limit to the depravity of humanity. Wc further learn that tho affair is to be thoroughly investigated, and that officers are upon the track of the vessel, which is known. If such a terrible crime was enacted, all good men will pray that the fiends may bo brought to speedy and condign punishment.