LATEST TELEGRAMS.

Kumara Times, Issue 980, 20 November 1879, Page 2

LATEST TELEGRAMS.

[press AGENCY.] HORRIBLE DOUBLE MURDER AND SUICIDE. Wellington, November 20. Rodolpli Miller, about 18 years of age, is supposed to have killed his father and mother, and then himself. On the alarm being given, the people found Mrs Miller lying on the floor, with her throat cut from ear to ear,

'•quite dead. Mr Miller, the old man, ■who was ill abed, was found with his tkfipat also cut from ear to ear, besides having four largo deep parallel gashes on the side of the head, and large were supposed to have from blows from the butt end of a gun, found newly discharged, broken in two, lying on the door, with blood and hair on the slock. It is supposed that the gun was first discharged at the old man, and then that ho was struck with it. On the backdoor steps young Miller was found with his throat also cut from ear to ear. The father and mother’s throats were cut with a blunt carving-knife, but another knife was found beside the body of the son. The room was full of powder smoke when the people entered. Miller was over 6D years of age; he was for many years manager of the Bank of New South Wales in Wellington, but was latterly in one of the Government ‘departments; The only children here were two —the one found dead, and another—both of whom were apprentices in Mills’ foundry. Insanity in the family is the supposed cause; The Press Association forwards the following particulars, giving Clarence Miller, aged 19, as the name and age of the murderer and suicide :—- Mr Edward Miller, the father, was 52 years of age, and Mrs Miller 60. The father had been ill for a fortnight, and Clarence (who had been at home for a few days owing to a bad finger) went to Dr Francis this morning for some medicine for his father, which was givcd to him. Mr Miller then lay down to sleep, and the sou ordered the servant to get about her work. At this time no suspicion seems to have attached itself to the son’s conduct in any way. Clarence then fired a blank charge at his father, and nmltilated the body. On coming out of the room he met his mother taking in some coals, and cut her throat, finally going outside, in view of the servant, and cutting his own, The servant was horrified at the sight, and immediately sent for assistance, which was of no avail, life being extinct. The instrument used in per] etrating the foul deed was an ordinary carving knife. The perpefrator ha-*, on more than one occasion, shown aberration of intellect. A brother named Sydney, accountant in the Bank at Greymouth, committed suicide recently by shooting himself, and it is believed another brother is in a lunatic asylum at Sydney. The affiirhas cast quite a gloom over the city, Mr and Mrs Miller being greatly respected. The police have charge of the bodies, and an inquest will be held to-morrow. No motive can be assigned for the dreadful tragedy. Christchurch, November 19. On Tuesday a man named Frederick Pugh met with a serious accident at. the Weka Pass railway works. A large, quantity ox earth fell Upon him, breaking his left leg, and injuring the other seriously. One of his arms was also much bruised. The sufferer was brought to the Hospital yesterday. Steinmetz, fur whom Tyrell the actor was arrested by mistake, Was captured at the Ptolleston Hotel vesterda} 7 , he Vag disguised, and had dyed his hair and eyebrows.