NAPIER SUPREME COURT.

Patea Mail, Volume VIII, Issue 970, 11 December 1882, Page 3

NAPIER SUPREME COURT.

0 [per press asociatin.] NAPIER, This Day. The Criminal Sessions opened this morning before Mr Justice Gillies. The calendar is very light, vizq eight prisoners against whom there are ten charges. Six prisoners are natives. HORRIBLE FATE OF A SHIP'S CREW. o 16 MEN KILLED AND EATEN. [ Reuter.—Copyright.] (Received Dec. 11, 12.30 p.m.) SYDNEY, this day. Intelligence has been received here that the crew of a vessel, 16 in all, have been killed and eaten by native's of New Guinea. A life-buoy, with the name “ Favione ” on it, was found near the scene of the massacre, but the vessel’s name is uncertain, as no trace of her was left. SUICIDE OF A LEVANTER. (per press association.) TIMARU, Dec. 11. A startling case of suicide occurred here at eleven o’clock. The Supreme Court criminal sessions had just opened, and one of the first cases on the calendar was that of J. M. Shepherd, storekeeper, who committed extensive frauds, and levanted to ’Frisco about six months ago. .He returned to the colony three months ago crossing on the way the detective who was sent after him. He was arrested at Auckland and brought to Timaru where he was committed for trial on six cases of forgery and uttering. Shepherd’s uncle resides almost opposite the Supreme Court, and Shepherd went into his office a little before eleven o’clock. A few minutes afterwards, a shot was heard fired in the office, and on people running in they found Shepherd .on the floor in a dying state, with a revolver lying beside him. On examination it was found he ‘had shot himself through the heart. Medical assistance arrived promptly, but life was pronounced extinct, and the body was removed to Stone’s Hotel, where an inquest will be held. It is stated that Shepherd, who was out on bail, had been advised that defence was useless, and the only chance there was for him was to plead guilty. GREATFIRE IN LONDON. [REUTER —COPYRIGHT,] LONDON, Dec 8. A serious fire has occurred in Wood-street, Cheapside. Eight houses arc now in flames and the conflagration is spreading. LATER. The great fire which occurred to-day in Wood Street broke out in a block of buildings owned and partly occupied by Messrs Foster, Porter and Co (Limited), wholesale hosiers between Addle Street and London Wall* The whole of the block has been completely destroyed, and the loss is set down at fully £3,0:10,000 sterling. The fire is the largest which has occurred in London since life great fire inTooley Street in 1861; - when the damage was estimated at a million and a half. A still later telegram states that the damage is not expected to exceed £1,000,000.