MURDEROUS ASSAULT AT HOKITIKA.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume IX, Issue 464, 25 March 1867, Page 3

MURDEROUS ASSAULT AT HOKITIKA.

(From the West Coast Times, 12th March.)

One of these outrages not uncommon in large and more settled communities, but from which that of Hokitika has hitherto enjoyed a singular immunity, occurred iu the Provincial Hotel, Revell street, yesterday morning, and for a time threw the whole town into a state of intense commotion. The ' parties direct'y concerned were the barmaid and cook at the above hotel, and, from what we can gather, it appears that an ill-feeling existed between them that finally culminated in a quarrel nearly resulting in the death of the unfortunate woman. The cook is a colored man, a native of the Cape de Yerd Islands, and goes by the name of George Vincent; the barmaid, who also filled the situation of housekeeper to the establishment, being a fine young woman named Anno Keelan, of Irish parentage. Between seven and eight o’clock she proceeded to the kitchen for the purpose of ascertaining if breakfast was ready, and, finding no preparations making, soundly rated the cook for his neglect. He without mure ado closed and locked both doors, and swore he would murder her if she made any complaint, and then advanced towards her iu so threatening a manner that being naturally alarmed, the brave girl stood upon the defensive, and when the villain came within reach knocked him down. He immediately regained his feet, and, seizing a meat knife, rushed upon his victim and inflicted a ghastly wound upon her right breast, and throwing her down, attempted to accomplish his murderous intent. She, however, fought desperately, meanwhile screaming loudly for assistance, and her cries being heard by a butcher named Skeen (whose shop adjoined the kitchen), he hastened to ascertain the cause oi such an outcry, and, finding the door locked, burst it open. The would-be murderer, knife in hand, immediately turned on the new-comer, and made a desperate stab at him, but the latter avoided it by shutting the door, which received the blow, the knife being driven half through the panel. Taking advantage of this diversion in her favor, the poor girl regained her feet, •and, opening the door, rushed into the passage, but was immediately followed by the darkey, who again threw her down and stabbed her twice in the back. By this time the house was thoroughly alarmed, and half-a-dozen persons hastened to the passage, whereupon the scoundrel left his victim and made for the sea-beach, casting his knife from him as he went. He was pursued by a crowd of persons, and, being hardly pressed, plunged into the surf, and absolutely swam outside the breakers and there remained apparently quite at home in the water. Information of what had taken place having been conveyed to the camp, several constables were despatched to the scene, who, keeping Vincent in view, followed him as be swam, and was carried northwards by the current, Arriving abreast the Montezuma (a distance of nearly a mile) he showed signs of exhaustion, and made for the [shore, but seeing the beach covered

. VY Uil pcOplc, all eager fo* bl 3 CopturO, ( be hesitated in his approach, and api peared inclined to put to sea again. At this juncture of affairs, Constable Rice volunteered to swim after him, and a long line being fortunately at hand, was attached to the constable’s waist, who thereupon dashed into the surf, and being a strong swimmer, soon reached Vincent. A desperate struggle ensued. Rice clinging to his man with bull-dog tenacity, the other as desperately struggling to free himself, both men being several times covered by the surf as it rolled in. Seeing that the constable had secured the man, those on shore commenced hauling in the line, which being old and rotten, broke, but fortunately a little distance only from the first man bolding it.. A young fellow named Morgan, observing the mishap, made a dash at the end, which he caught just as it was disappearing in the surf, and being aided by a score of willing hands, succeeded in hauling the two men ashore. Vincent was immediately taken to the Camp, and at a later hour appeared before the Resident Magistrate, but only to be remanded until the young woman could appear in evidence against him. She having been attended upon by Dr Dermott, was pronounced to be dangerously, but—we are happy to say —not fatally wounded, and is now lying at the Provincial Hotel, with every chance of recovery. Tiio knife was picked up by a person who observed Vincent throw it down. It is a formidable weapon, having a blade nine inches in length, and is stained with blood six inches from the point. The intripid conduct of Constable Rice is deserving of the highest praise, as he placed bis own life in the most imminent jeopardy to bring the offender to justice.