THE TRAGEDY NEAR OPUNAKE.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2110, 27 November 1880, Page 2

THE TRAGEDY NEAR OPUNAKE.

FURTHER PARTICULARS. IfFBS BBBSS ASSOCIATION SPECIAL WIEB.] HAWERA, November 27. The man Stannard, who has been arrested, is said to have passed the scene of the murder at or about the time Hone Pihama's daughter saw a horse with a saddle tied at the scene of the murder. Major Parria left Hawera for Opunake this morning. Stannard was married by the registrar early in the week to Miss Prosser here. The blood stains on his coat, it is stated, were probably due to his separating two men who were fighting at an hotel in Hawera on Tuesday night. He (Stannard) has been horse-breaking near here, but bears a good name, and is a cultivated and superior sort of man, not at all likely to commit such a crime. 001. Roberts, Mr Hursthouse, and Hone Pihama have just returned from the scene. They found an old saddle and a bunch of wild flowers evidently gathered by the deceased. Blood was found from ten feet to forty yards off the road. The ground shows traces of a desperate struggle. The scene is within 100 yards of the uninhabited pab Te Ngainu. Mr Hursthouse is very energetic in pursuing inquiry into the outrage, as are also Colonel Roberts and Hone Pihama. It is understood here that the wife of a storekeeper at Hawera wiped some blood off Stannard's clothes before he started for Opunake. People here, however, do not think him the culprit. AUCKLAND, November 26.

The murder of Miss Dobie has caused a great sensation in Auokland, where she was well known, having resided in Parnell, where her married brother is at present living. The following particulars concerning her have transpired. Her father was Major Herbert Mayne Dobie, of the 30th Native Infantry, Madras army. He died in India on active service. There were six ohfldren—three sons and three daughters. She was third and youngest daughter. Tho eldest daughter is in Bngland married. The youngest brother is Herbert Dobie, an officer in the Auckland railway department. The eldest brother is an officer in the Horse Artillery, and the second eldest is an army surgeon. Nearly all the sketches of New Zealand scenery in the London " Graphio" were the product of her pencil. In that journal was published recently " A Ride by two Auokland Ladies through the Northern Districts of the Colony," illustrated by sketches. Miss Dobie was one of these ladies. Miss Dobie's mother is sister of Mr Fredk. Locker, editor and proprietor of the " Graphic" Last year, through a love of art, Miss Dobie, and her sister, Mrs Goring, took a trip to Fiji, accompanied by Mr Herbert Dobie. When in Fiji they were the guests of Sir Arthur Gordon. His Excellency, when he heard the tidings of Miss Dobie's murder to-day, was greatly shocked and grieved, as he greatly admired the talent of tho young lady. A few months ago a performance by some amateur theatricals took place in the Choral Hall for a benevolent object, in which Miss Dobie sustained the role of Lydia Languish in Sheridan's comedy of " The Rivals," and her graceful impersonation of that difficult part was much commended at the time. The tidings of the terrible tragedy has caused quite a gloom throughout the city, and much sympathy is felt for the bereaved relatives. NAPIER*. November 26.

The man who has been arrested at Opunako on the charge of murdering Miss Dobie was resident in Napier two years ago, when he followed his occupation of horse breaker. Those who know him spsyak of him as qciet, sober, and exceedingly well educated, and little likely to be guilty of an offence such as that with which he is charged. WELLINGTON, November 26. The murder of Miss Dobie caused quite a sensation in town. She was acting as special artist of the Loncon " Graphio," and had contributed several pictures of great interest to New Zealand to that journal. Special arrangements were made to have a report of the inquest forwarded from Opunako, but the inquest has been adjourned until to-morrow. November 27. The body of the murdered Miss Dobie was not violated. The following particulars of the man Stannard, arrested on suspicion, have been received by Government:—He had resided in Hawera for the past twelve months and had been engaged as billiard-marker in one of the hotels there for some time, and also has been employed as olerk to a butchering company. It is said that he arrived at Ly ttelton about three years ago as mala of a ship,