DUNEDIN TRAGEDY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 243, 18 March 1880, Page 2

DUNEDIN TRAGEDY.

Dunedin, March 16

Dewar, the victim of the Cumberland street tragedy, was not a wealthy person and tlris of course refutes the idea that the murders were committed for the sake of plunder, A fortnight ago he received payment of a sum of L 9 odd, which he invested in the purchase of a horse and cart, intending to start business as a hawker. ’ The deceased (Mr and Mrs Dewar) apparently lived'happy together. It was their habit not to lock the back, door on Saturday night, In order that the milkman might gain access to the kitchen on Sunday morning. The axe, with which the murderous blows were inflicted, was usually kept in the coal house, and as far as ascertainable, there is no reason to doubt its having been there on Saturday. The Dewars were not seen after between three and four o’clock on Saturday afternoon by the Grants. A man named Butlar, alias, Donnelly, was arrested about five miles this side of Waikouaiti for the murder-. Ho was armed with a six-chamber revolver, and had in his possession thirty or forty cartridges. When he saw the police he ran'behind a flax bush and presented his revolver at them, but beyond this lie made no attempt at resistance. He is known to be a desperate criminal, but murder was never laid fo his chnrge previously, and what motive lie could have had to kill the Dewars is impossible to even conjecture. Dunedin, March 16.

At the City To ice Court this u.ornnig, iu the presence of a great crowd, the man .Robert Butler, alias Donnelly, alias Medway, ali s Lee, was charged on an information with on Sunday morning last, and remanded until Monday next. He was also charged with attempting to shoot the arresting constable. Inspector Mallard intimated that there would probably bo a third charge of arson or burglary at the house of Mr Stamper, lawyer, on Saturday morning. It appears that the pnsoner who had been recently discharged from goal, had been lodging at the Scottish Hotel, within a few minutes walk of the murdered man’s house. lie did not occupy his lodging on Friday or Saturday nights, but returned on Sunday morning within half an hour of the discovery of the murder, and after paying his bill he walked to Biuoskin, changing his clothes by the way and clipping off his moustache. When arrested ha had a loaded revolver and a number of cartridges, but was secured before he could use it. He is a small sharp-looking man under 30 years of ege.