A NEW YORK SENSATION

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 92, 14 May 1909, Page 2

A NEW YORK SENSATION

CAI'TAIN HAINS CONVICTED. New York, May 12. Captain Peter Haiiis was convicted uf manslaughter in the lirst degree Thornton Hains was acquitted. A terrible scene was enacted at Bay Shore, Long Island, on the afternoon or August last, when Captain Peter C. Hains, of the United' States army, shot and killed Mr. William Aunis, l.ie owner and publisher of several magazines, while the latter was standing on the landing stage of the Yacht Club, intending to take his wife and party for a cruise. Captain Hains alleged that his victim was responsible for the wrecking of his home. The tragedy was witnessed by crowds of holiday makers at the Yacht Club. Jlr. Anni's |liad just landed from his yacht, when Captain llains walked up* and began to lire. The lirst shot went wide, and' -Ml'. Annis dodged behind a friend. The captain, however, cooly reached round the friend and poured live bullets into the .body of his victim, who died shortly afterwards in the hospital. Yachtsmen, hearing the lirst shot, rushed to the rescue of Mr. Annis, but Mr. Thornton Hains, brother m Captain Hains, held them at bay with a pistol, declaring that the affair was one between his brother and Mr. Aunis. Both the Hains were then arrested. They are sons of BrigadierGeneral I'eter Coiiover Hains, who served throughout the Civil War with distinction, and took part in the war with Spain. Thornton Jenkins Mains is an author. He served his time at sea. and holds an English Hoard of Trade anil an American navigator's license. He owns a number of small vessels, and was married in ISINI. A

fable last January said that ihe trial had commenced at Flushing, Long Iv land, of the brothers Hains. Thornton Hains, charged as an accessory before the fact, was acquitted. Captain l'eter Ilains, who tired the fatal shots, was in January awaiting trial,