LATEST PARTICULARS.

Patea Mail, 27 November 1880, Page 2

LATEST PARTICULARS.

FINDING THE BODY. A TERRIBLE STRUGGLE. Private information reached us last night from Opunaki as follows : Miss Dobie had been staying in the township, with her mother; and being fond of sketching scenery, the young lady went tor a stroll on Thursday, about tea in the forenoon, towards an uninhabited Native pah called Te Namu. She was alone. Not returning as expected, anxiety began to be felt that she had lost her way. Several A.C.’s were sent to search for her, towards evening, a bugler with them. No trace could bo found. Theti they lit large fires in the darkness, and continued the search, sounding the bugle and cooeying in all directions. About ten o’clock at night they found the body, some forty yards from the main road, with the throat gashed across. It was a ghastly spectacle as the men’s torches gleamed on the dead woman* The body was carried to Opunaki, to await the inquest which Mr Wray will open to-day. On examining the scene of the murder next morning, it was evident that a severe struggle had been gone through before the ruffian cut his victim’s throat. Nothing as said as to the body being outraged. Dr Carey has made an examination and will give evidence at the inquest. Miss Dobie’s clothes were much disordered and torn in the struggle It is not true that the head was severed from the body. A man named Walter Stannard is arrested. He was known to have passed near the scene of the murder, and on being taken into custody his clothes were examined by Dr Carey, and blood stains were found on them. His hat, trousers, and boots were stained; and he accounted for this by saying his horse had cut his nose. He is from Hawera. A pair of corduroy trousers were found yesterday in the flax, a few feet from the body. Also a bit of bridle. These are important clues to identity. Rumors were current last night that two A.C.’s and a team-driver from Hawera wore under arrest. Our information up to the close of the telegraph last evening was that only the man Stannard or Stoddard is in custody. ( Telegram from our Correspondent.) Wellington, Friday. The tragedy at Opunaki is causing much sensation here. Great sympathy is expressed for Major and Mrs Goring.