FRIGHTFUL MURDER IN VICTORIA.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume IX, Issue 311, 17 September 1874, Page 4

FRIGHTFUL MURDER IN VICTORIA.

The usual quiet locality of Schnapper Point was in a state of excitement on Wednesday last (says the Ausiralatian of the 29th ult.), in consequence of a report that a man bad been murdered near tW big plain adjacent to the Tobba jßublia diggings, and the Bequel proves the report to be true. The deceased, jfohn Moriarty, had been living in the vicinity of Scbnapper Point for several years past, and was well known as an old servant of Mr Bennisoo, and as aharmless, inoffensive, and industrious man. He was the owner of a small freehold near the Point, but had of late been living in a hut near the Tubba Bubba diggings. He had gaved a little money by years of patient perseverance, and recently selected,* lot of land, about 100 acres, at a.distaoee of about a mile from the hat, and at the time he was murdered wls grazing about 300 sheep of his own. On the 15th August he sold to Mr Baines, near Dromana, 200 sheep, for which he received £fiO in gold and DPtea, audit was generally known that be Intended to bank this money on Saturday, 22nd, his usual day for travelling to the Point to obtain his week's provisions. On Wednesday last information wae given to the police ti&bkff ,W* missing. His dog was alBC^ missing, and his sheep were Kfcttered. Mounted Constable Shannon arjfljionje neighbors, started in search, ana found Moriarty's body about 200 y«H<J«I from hta hut. The head was smashed fa, at fhe back .and toe jawbone Bevered. by a fearful blow, as if done wllfe a iewnahawk. The body had been d ßs£fti^ ky •& » murderer to a spot where a~ small tree, in falling "bad caught its boughs in another tree, sod where it was partially sheltered. An axe belonging to the murdered man was near the spot, and a shingling hammer, with suspicions marks on it, was also foond. Superintendent Hare \ arrived on Thursday, and every exer(ion is being made to discover the i murderer.