THE MURDER OF CAPTAIN MOLLER.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1540, 25 January 1879, Page 3

THE MURDER OF CAPTAIN MOLLER.

[Special Wire] Mr Breven, master of the Meg Mcrrilies, has supplied the following statement to the " Star" of the murder of Captain Moller: — When we arrived at Butatitari, we went up to Rennell's place. As far as I understood then Rennell was indebted to Messrs McArthur's firm to an amount of which I did not hear the extent. Captain Moller did not see how he was going to recover the amount. Things did not go to hia satisfaction, and he decided to square up altogether with Rennell. According to Captain Moller's notion and mine Rennell onght to have squared up, because Captain Moller was the man who put him there. I advised Captain Moller that if Rennell had not sufficient means to square up, he should be compelled to give goods. I went ashore on Sunday and brought some things off, and on Monday when Captain Moller went ashore he said he did not want me to go. I told him that Rennell must have money, and that, if he had not, he (Moller) should take some provisions. The next thing that happened was that Captain Moller was brought on board shot. I sent him down to Black's missionary station to see if they could do anything for him. After I »ot the vessel right I went ashore, and with the assistance of others I arrested Rennell and brought him on board. He insisted on my taking him ashore again to see what was in the store. I went with him, and found goods there to the value of 300 or 400 dollars. Captain Moller compelled me to go and see what was there. There was money and a gun. I went of course for them. There was 112 dollars and £3 10s in gold that Rennell found in the sand just outside tho door, about three yards away. Tho debt he owed was about 70 dollars. When everything was squared up the money was counted in the presence of tho steward of the vessel. Captain Moller was Bent down in tho boat to Black's, the missionary, place, about fourteen miles away. His arm was very sore. I deny statement that Rennell objected to Captain Moller being put ashore. He had no opportunity to object to that. I was his keeper. It was I that sent Captain Moller ashore. I took Captain Moller on hoard from Black's station, about eighteen hours after the affair occurred. I then took him to Ebon Island to look for a doctor. He had left the day we left Britaritari. We left tho latter on Thursday, and arrived at Ebon on Friday. Lockjaw had set in before wo arrived at Ebon. We landed Captain Moller. He lived only thirty-six hours from that time. R?nnell could have easily paid the money owing. The people told me that linnuell threw the money overboard after he was arrested, and even a small barrel of beef that had been taken by Moller. There were plenty of provisions still in the store. They say Captain Moller was leaving him destitute, but the goods I saw there would have kept Rennell for six months, and there was a vessel lying thero at tho time. We

did notconfinn Rennell until Moller died. U'eni e 1 told mo I did 'io'< know who ho was : Unit I should treat Jim with civility. Then I said I shall let ymi know who I am, and then i that him up. Rennell was i rented on board better than any p tssengera I have had :ince I have been in the trade. I told him Captain Moller was dead He said re wished he had shot himself first; that he never intended to shoot him. There were two ov throe cases of prog in hennell's house. They were brought from Samoa. I think Rennell had Iron drinking. I was sure Captain Moller asked Rennell for a settlement. He said he would give him one on Monday. He told him what copra ho had received, and he said next day he would settle. Moller went ashore in the morning, and brought something off. I asked him how they stood then. Ho said there were some 70 or SOdols. difference between them. I said. " When you go ashore this afternoon I would ask to square up in cash. He must have it."' It appears I hat when Captain Moller went there in the afternoon he asked I'emiell for cash, and h'eunell told hi n he had not got cash. Moller said. "If you have not got cash I will take this keg of beef." .Rennell then shot him.