AUSTRALIAN NEWS. (Per R.M.S. Alameda.)

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 307, 13 October 1888, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN NEWS. (Per R.M.S. Alameda.)

ALLEGED SUICIDE ON H.M.S. OPAL. Ax inquiry was held on board H.M.s. Opal into the circumstances attending the death of a man named William Foster Horniman, who was found dead in his cabin on board that vessel on Monday morning with a gunshot wound in his head. Edwin R. Sands, paymaster on boaid the Opal, stated that the deceased was 24 years of age, a native of Enaland, and was a man of temperate, chceriul disposition. The deceased, who was asoisbant-paymaster of tho Opal, had never done anything to lead witness to suppose he contcnpla'ed self-destruction. Abraham Brown, gunnery instructor, st'ited that he went down the half-deck about half pas- 1 7 o'clock on Monday morning for the purpose of dulling the midshipmen, when he noticed a strong emell ot gunpowder ; all the cabins were open with the exception of one abaft, and that had a screen drawn; witness lifted tho screen and saw the deceased in a kneeling position on the deck, the top of his head being neaily blown off, and a double-barrelled gun was lying by hfc right side. The deceased was quite dead. Dr. R. YV. Brcieton, staff-turgeon, stated that the skull was laid open and perfectly empty ; the bullet or chargo had evidently entered between the eye^, and, from the blackened condition of the face, it was apparent that the barrel had been held close up to the head ; the wound Avas of buch a nature as could be self inflicted ; death was due to the injuries described. The jury returned a verdict to the effect that the deceased died from the effects of a gunshot wound in the head, and that the injury was self-inflicted.

DREADFUL TRAGEDY IN NORTH QUEENSLAND. A shocking tragedy lias been reported fco the police at Mackay, Queensland. John Aibken, a selector, aged between 40 and 50 years, residing between Sandy and Alligator CJieeke, aeeoiding to the messenger who bi ought the news, had a quarrel with his wife. An encounter took place between them, which the man ended by cutting her throat and then his own. a man named W. Landellrf, who reported the matter, says lie wa-4 riding pasb the selection when he saw the man fall. The wife was then lying face downwards. A razor and a tomahawk were found lying on the ground. The police at once started for the scene of the tragedy. Three children (nine, six, and three years old) are left.

SUPPOSED SUICIDE OF A DRESSMAKER. The body of Madam Egmont, a dressmaker, recently carrying on business at Goulburn, wjis found floating in the river at Mulwaree under Lansdown Bridgo this afternoon. She had been mining since lasb Friday week. She having threatened to drown herself search was made on the following day, bub as a report was received from the police at Albury that a woman answering her description was seen in the train going to Melbourne the search was given up. Deceased was very sensitive, and is supposed to have drowned herself because she was in monetary troubles, avd had been dunned by her creditors. Sho was of French extraction, and is believed to have been well connected

SALVATION ARMY PROCESSIONS. TWO MEN bENT TO PRISON. At the Polico Court, Wollongong, Samuel Burke and George Hayeroffc, two members of the Salvation Army, were charged with violating the municipal by-law by parading the streets with a musical pro cession without the permission of the Mayor. The defendants pleaded guilty, but said they considered they were doing right. The police magistrate commented in severe terms upon the conduct of the Army in parading the 'streets in violation of the law and making night hideous with the noise of their drums, having no respect for other religious bodies assembled for worship in their churches, but on the contrary increasing the din as they passed. He ordered the defendants to each pay a fine of £1, with 7s 4d costs, to be recovered by levy and distrees ; in default 14 days' imprisonment. He also said that any future offences would be visited by penalties of £5. Defendants said they' had neither money nor goods, except the drum, which belonged to the Lord, and that they would go to gaol. His Worship took exception to the remark about the drum, and said it

was sheer blasphemy. The defendants were then removed. Several other members of bho Army were present and shook hands with the defendants as they left the Court.