DEATH IN THE HORRORS.

Auckland Star, Volume IV, Issue 1206, 5 December 1873, Page 2

DEATH IN THE HORRORS.

A shocking occurrence was reported to the police this morning, and formed the subject of a coroner's inquiry at the Star Hotel, Newton, to-day at two o'clock. A man named James Gordon had been lodging with his cousin, Mr James N. Lyall, of Spring Bank, since the 2nd instant. He had been drinking heavily, and was suffering from the horrors. Last night Mr Lyall was sitting up with him, and shortly after midnight, the patient falling asleep, his attendant retired to bed. He was subsequently awakened by the howling of cats, and went into tho sitting-room where Gordon was lying to see that he was all right. To his astonishment he found that deceased had gone out with only his drawers, night-shirt, and hat on. In the kitchen there were stains of blood, and deceased's penknife, which was lying on the floor, had blood stains on the'blade. Mr Lyall, in company with a youn^ man named Short, proceeded towards Cox's Creek in search of the missing man. Near the bridge they found his hat floating in the water, andat once surmised what fate had befallen its owner. Short went back to Newton and reported the matter to Constable Clarke, who proceeded to the spot, and with the assistance of Alfred Verrall, dragged the creek at the place where tho hat was found. They were not long in discovering tho dead body of Gordon, which oxhibited three stabs on the left breast, evidently inflicted with the

penknife found in the ki-.cben. The body was removed to the Stat Hotel, Sewtnn, and on the coroner being informed of the fact he issued his warrant for ,■..._ inquesb at two o'clock, when the above facts v. ere deposed to bj Messrs Lyall, Short, and Constable ! Clark.