A STRANGE CONFESSION.

Kumara Times, Issue 1064, 27 February 1880, Page 4

A STRANGE CONFESSION.

[yass courier, January 37.] Last Thursday forenoon a man of somewhat dejected appearance, of shallow complexion, and about thirty years of age, called upon Mr Brennan, sub-inspector of police, and stated that he desired to give himself into custody for a murder committed in England early last year. The man was quite sober, and evidently in his sound|senses. Mr Brennan, having first cautioned jthe man, asked him to state particulars. These were so connected and apparently so truthful, that the subinspector deemed it advisable to have his statement taken down in presence of Jthe Police Magistrate (Mr Yates), and shortly after two o'clock on theSaame day this was done at a private examination at the Court-house, Of the statement then made we have been able to learn the following particulars :—" His name is William Coulthard, and he is a |, chemist and druggist. He had only been | about eight months in the Colony, and shortly before coming to New South Wales landed at Melbourne. He had been engaged in his business as a chemist and druggist at Everton, near Liverpool, England. He was then married to a cousin, of whom he subsequently became madly jealous. In January, 1879, ( he resolved to kill his wife, and administered to her a dose of prussic acid. After her death he attached lead to the head and feet of the body and placed it in a sack, and after-dark threw the sack containing his wife's remains into the River Mersey, at Everton, near Liverpool, England. He was then, aB he was now, thoroughly in his right senses. He shortly after sailed for Victoria, and subsequently came to this Colony. Since committing the murder he had led a wretched and miserable life, and scarcely a night passed without the vision of his wife, appearing to him; He is twenty-eight years of age. He could bear his sufferings no longer, and hence he had resolved to give himself up to the police and to confess his crime. The prisoner's statement was calmly and distinctly given, and since his conßnement he has shown no indications to vary or withdraw any of the particulars supplied. We understand the facts have been communicated to the authorities in Sydney, 'and it is not improbable that a search of files of English newspapers will throw some light on the circumstances narrated by the prisoner.