THE FATAL STABBING CASE IN OTAGO.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4324, 29 January 1875, Page 3

THE FATAL STABBING CASE IN OTAGO.

(From the Daily Times, January 25). The residents of the North-East Valley were thrown into a state of excitement on Saturday morning, when the fact of a man having been stabbed in the neighborhood gained currency. Shortly before ten o’clock a messenger called at the King-street Police Station and stated that a pig-breeder named Holmes had been murderously assaulted by a man with whom he was working, and Inspector Mallard was at once despatched to the scene, which is on the left hand side of the Valley road, and about 450 yards from its junction with that of Port Chalmers, On arrivin" there, Drs. Garland and Cole were found in attendance, and having, on inquiry, informed the Inspector that the wound was highly dangerous and likely to prove fatal, Holmes’s evidence was taken, no Justice of the Peace being present at this time. He deposed as follows : —This morning at eight o’clock, I, Amos James Holmes, was working at the hut with a man I know as Jack. He was swearing in consequence of some words he, had with Mr. Curran last night. I knocked his hat off. Ho at once took up a knife —a pig-killing knife —and stabbed me in the left side. I would know him again. There was no one else present at the time. I believe I am dying, and make this declaration. It is tile truth, and nothing but the truth. I know I shall never recover. The same man who was taken away by the Constable is the man who stabbed me. The police soon ascertained by their inquiries the circumstances which led to the dastardly act. It appears that Holmes has been occupied of late breeding and killing pigs, and employed a man named John Walter to assist him, the two of them having been working together for twelve mouths. On Saturday morning they both commenced to kill pigs about eight o’clock; and after killing the first animal, Holmes, who was apparently in an ill-humor, complained to Walter about the pigs having been allowed to trespass in an adjoining paddock (that of Mr. Curran’s) on the previous night. This Walter denied, when Holmes threatened to put him in a barrel standing by, and knocked his hat off with his hand. The former thereupon picked up-the knife he had been using, and struck Holmes with it in the side, making a transverse wound in a sloping direction, and perforating the lower lobe of the left lung, which causing internal hcemorrhage, the doctors believe must result fatally. Mrs. Holmes and others, hearing the wounded man’s cries, rushed out, and received a great shook on seeing what had taken place. He was at once removed into the house, placed on a couch in the sitting-room, efforts made to atop the bleeding, which was very profuse, and medical assistance sent for. When the constable reached the place, he found Walter at the back of the house, apparently indifferent to what he had done, stripping a pig, and the constable arrested him, without resistance, and conveyed him into town. Early in the afternoon, Mr. Eish, J.P., with Mr. Street, clerk of the R.M. Court, and Detective Bain proceeded to the place in a cab —Walter was then in custody. Dr. Garland was met bn' the road, and he informed them that his patient was in such a dangerous condition that to attempt to take his depositions would probably hasten death. After Holmes had recovered a little, he was supported by bis wife and brother, and Walter being brought into the room, a conversation ensued as follows :■ — Holmes : X can see the blackguard. Mr. Fish : Can you see the man who stabbed you ? ' Holmes ; Oh, yes, I can see him right enough. He has been along with me these twelve months. He told me that it would be worse for me : that he would chop me with the axe ; but I did not think he meant it. Ha then’struck me with the knife.

Walter : Jim, if you are dying, tell the truth. You are perjuring yourself, as you know. Holmes : It is the truth ; nothing hut the truth. lam quite certain he did it. I think he had the knife in his hand all the time. Walter : You know I was scratching the pig’s leg. Accused was then brought to town m custody of the police and lodged in gaol. He will be formally charged at the Resident Magistrate’s Court this morning and remanded, Hr. Cole called at the police station about eight o’clock last evening and stated that Holmes was slightly better, and there was a possibility of his recovering. There appears to have been no motive for the commission of the crime, as it was evidently done under the influence of sudden passion. Late last night the police were informed on good authority that there was little hope of Holmes recovering.—[Holmes has since died.—Ed. N.Z.T.]