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Grey River Argus, Issue 111, 27 September 1866, Page 3

Fatal Case of Stabbing at Lyttelton. — On Saturday evening, a boat belonging to the brig Rona, containing.fourhour hands, namely, James Wright, Edmund Ikes.— JElenry Ives, and a native Fijian, ■ ' ...^A Francis, returned to the vessel about half -past eleven o'clock. A short time after leaving the stairs some altercation took place, ajid the man named. Ives, a half-caste belonging to the Fijis, threw one of the oars overboard, so that they had to make the vessel with the aid of one oar. Ikes, the cook and steward of the Rona, and Ives, one of the crew, were a little worse for liquor, and after the par was thrown overboard, lay down in the stern sheets, and appeared to go ta sleep. After struggling for some time ta

reach the brig, Ikes sung out that he was knifed by Ives; but Ives said, "No, Ikes knife mo." Wright, who appeared to have charge of the boat, did not think much of the remarks of the men, well knowing them both to be in liquor. They reached the A r essel about one o'clock, and on going alongside Wright asked for a rope to be thrown over the side to assist in getting Ikes on board. The chief officer ordered one of the hands io get into the boat to assist ; the rope was thrown over and an attempt made to raise Ikes, by passing the rope under his arms ; and the man assisting found his hands wet. On procuring a light it was found that his hands were covered with blood. Ikes was found stabbed in his left side, a little below the ribs, and to all appearance dead. The body was got on board, and the boat left at .once for medical assistance. Dr Rouse, on reaching the vessel, and on seeing the body, pronounced life extinct. Ives, it appeal's, did not offer any resistance, but got on board as soon as possible, and after handing a clasp knike to one of his mates, from whom he had borrowed it in the afternoon, he turned into Ins bunk. On examing the knife, it was found to be very wet, as if recently washed. ' The police were communicated with directly, and they brought the body on shore and took Ives into custody.