INTER-PROVINCIAL ITEMS.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 14, Issue 736, 18 November 1869, Page 2

INTER-PROVINCIAL ITEMS.

LATEST FROM LYTTELTON. HORRIBLE MURDER OF A WIFE BY HER HUSBAND. VERDICT OF WILFUL MURDER. Smyth, the landlord of the Railway Inn, at the corner of London and Canteiburystreets,Lytteltoii, charged with the murder of his wife Georgina Lenton Smyth, has been found guilty of wilful murder. From what we can learn the unfortunate woman was found dead in her bed on tlio 6th November. We are indebted to the Lyttelton Times for the par ticulars of the inquest :--An inquest was held on the 9th inst. before tlio Coroner, Dr Coward, at the Hail way Hotel, coiner of Canterbury and London streets, Lyttelton, on the body of Georgian, Lenton Smyth, wife of John Smyth, proprietor of the Hail way Hotel. A jury having been empanelled, Mr H. it. Weld) was chosen foreman. ' Inspector Pender was present to conduct proceedings. The jury having viewed the body, the inquest was adjourned, The adjourned inquest on the body of Mrs Smyth commenced on ihe lOlh inst., at 1 p.m., at the Colonists' Hal! j Lyttelton, before Dr Coward, the coroner, John Smith was brought up in custody charged with murder, and Thomas Godfrey, the cook, was also brought up, chargedj with being an accessory. The evi-j deuce of a great number of witnesses was taken, and at 5 o'clock tHe in-j quest was again adjourned until thej next day at 1 o'clock, the whole ofj the witnesses not having been ex< amined. The prisoner Godfrey has! voluntarily made a confession of all! the facts of the case. Immense exj oitement is created in Lyttelton, thqj hall being crowded during the whola of the proceedings. Inspector Peii-| der conducted the proceedings, anJ Mr Nalder attended on behalf of th| prisoners. |

We learn that the inquest was resumed on the 11th inwt. Medical evidence proved dea+h to have re suited from suffocation. After 15 minutes deliberation, the jury rcj turned a verdict of " Wilful M urder against Smyth, but acquitted Got! frey, the cook,