TAHITI.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 604, 17 May 1851, Page 3

TAHITI.

[From the Sydney Morning Herald.]

The monotony of this quiet and remote little island has been broken in upon lately by investigations into two tragical occurrences; one, which took place here, a barbarous and cold-blooded murder; the other a homicide at sea, under, to say the least, most unjustifiable and criminal circumstances. Both of them are connected with former residents in New South Wales, and may therefore possess some interest for your readers. An Englishman named Hooton, about 60-years of age, formerly an inhabitant of New South Wales, had resided here some years. He possessed some property, and was generally in the habit of keeping several hundred dollars in his house. His wife had been separated from him several years. On the morning of the 23d February Hooton was found dead in the back room, his throat cut with a razor, which was lying beRirlp Lim nn«l it rcoo nf fLoi J 1. _ -.-w -.im, uuu utov OUJJ|JUOCU VUCIV UC had destroyed himself, but on further examination it was found that he had received severe injuries on the head from blows with a hammer, leaving no doubt that he had been murdered. His money could nowhere be found, so that the object of the assassination was also evident. Al first no suspicion attached to any particular individual, but on inquiry it proved that the razor belonged to a person of the name of Jackson, formerly a stonemason at Parramatta, to whom Hooton had shown great kindness. After some prevarication Jackson admitted the razor to be his, and that he had lent it to Mr. Hooton some days previously. There is other circumstantial evidence against Jackson ; but it appears to be the general opinion that it will not be considered sufficient to condemn him.—The other event alluded to took place on board the Chachalot, French ship, which sailed from Newcastle some months since, bound lor San Francisco. At the former place the captain took on board three English seamen. One of them, whose name is unknown, appears to have been a turbulent bad character, and was very troublesome on board. The man was not on the ship’s articles, but did seaman’s duty—“ working nis passage,'’ as it is commonly termed. Some dispute having arisen about the quality of a piece of beef, the man was very insolent, andf threw the beef on the deck. The captain wen before the windlass, and either struck or grap" pled with him ; the latter at first offered some resistance, but afterwards yielded ; after which the captain retired some little distance, drew a pistol, and shot him dead on the spot, He came into this port for an investigation, thinking, perhaps, he would have a better chance here than in San Francisco. The authorities appear to have been greatly embarrassed how to proceed in the case, but after long deliberation allowed the captain to proceed on his voyage, taking security on the ship and cargo that he shall surrender himself for trial in France.