THE LYELL MURDER.

Kumara Times, Issue 2030, 2 March 1883, Page 2

THE LYELL MURDER.

[Westport Times, February 27.] The arrival in town, on Saturday evening, of John Davidson and Mrs Gramatica, was witnessed by a large number of persons, who crowded around the coach, when it stopped, at the corner of Wakefield-street, near the Gaol, to put down the prisoners and their guardian, Constable Palamontaine. Mrs Gramatica (being a widow) was dressed in deep mourning, and was thickly veiled. Her appearance was much more reliant than that of Davidsou, who looked very miserable indeed. The fact of his attempting to commit suicide is an index to his despondent character, showing that he has not much faith in his ability to free himself from trouble. The male prisoner only was handcuffed during the journey. The prisoner Davidson, now in the Westport Gaol, is, we are informed by one who has known him since 1873, about 43 years of age, and, as to nationality, is described as a " Liverpool Irishman " —born in Liverpool, of Irish parents, we presume. He was working as a miner for many years at- Matakitaki and Marina, and was in the habit of toiling away for months at a spell, when he would come down to the accommodation house and "knock down 1 ' his earnings. He is well-kuown throughout the Upper Buller district. Mrs Gramatica, in whom much public interest is just now centred, is a tall, masculine woman, of the character known as " strong-minded." Her present serious difficulty is the climax to a life of trouble. She and her husband (who died in the Westport Hospital some two years ago) lived a " cat-and-dog"life for a long time, mainly owing, it is said, to the woman's drinking habits. Wheu Gramatica died, he willed his property at Lyell to his son, afraid that his wife would dissipate it. The farm and dairy were carried on awhile, and then leased to Mr John Reid. Since that time Mrs Gramatica has been gaining a living by washing, but has not borne a very good reputation. The son Frank died six or eight months ago, and the only surviving child, a little girl, has been kindly taken charge of by Mrs William.s, of Lyell. About five ago,years Mr and Mrs Gramatica lost a daughter, a fine girl of 14 or 15, Ada by name, who was drowned before their eyes. She was returning home from the Nelson Convent School, and, with another person, while crosstho I'iver opposite Lyell, in a " chair," the rope broke, precipitating them into the boiling stream beneath. Both were drowned, ♦