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Poverty Bay Standard, Volume X, Issue 1032, 4 February 1882, Page 2

Recently two favorite horses belonging to Mr A. C. Arthur, at Whatatutu, were found dead one morning, and it was thought some dastardly scoundrel had perpetrated the malicious act of causing tbair death. Appearances fully warranted the assumption. Since that time Detective Grace, of Napier, came here, having certain duties to perforin in this district. Among others he made enquiries respecting the cause of death of Mr Arthur’s horses. It is with a feeling of satisfaction that we are enabled to state that the cause of the animals' deaths has been satisfactorily solved. It would be a terrible thing to have at large and in our midst a coldblooded wretch whose wicked nature would permit him to go forth, like a thief in the night, and wreak bis vengeance against an enemy, or supposed enemy, by maiming a poor dumb beast. During Detective Grace's stay a horse belonging to Mr Mosley Smith met its death under oomewhat suspicious circumstances, in the same paddock. The horse had been sick two days previous to its death. On examination of the skulls of Mr Arthur’s horses no injuries were disclosed. Mr Luttrell, veterinary surgeon, was called in to ascertain the cause of the death of Mr Mosley Smith’s horse. The same external symptoms manifested themselves in both cases. The skin was grazed over the eyes of the horses, and in the latter ease it was ascertained that the cause of death was disease of the kidneys, brought on by overfeeding, the grass in the new country being rich and sour. Mr Luttrell’s opinion, from the data at his command, was that Mr Arthur's horses died from the same cause as Mr Mosley Smith’s. While both gentlemen named have suffered considerable pecuniary loss, the solution of what at first appeared the result of extraordinary cruelty and revenge, is to all parties highly satisfactory. A valuable mare is still missing, and a reward offered for her recovery. Possibly she may turn up all right.