ACCIDENTS, OFFENCES, ETC.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1178, 15 May 1884, Page 3

ACCIDENTS, OFFENCES, ETC.

At the inquest on Mrs Gibson, who was found dead in her house at Auckland, on Saturday, a verdict of ‘ Death from natural causes, accelerated by habitual and excessive drink,’ was returned, A warrant has been issued for the arrest of William A. Roberts, a clerk in the employment of Stamp, Goodwin, Harris and Co., importers, Melbourne. It is believed his defalcations amount to between £SOOO and £6OOO.

William Browning has been committed for trial for the brutal murder of his wife, at South Melbourne, on Sunday, 4th May. The prisoner was under the influence of drink, and beat his wife to death with a piece of wood. The brigantime Camile, from Dunedin to Auckland, reports the drowning at sea of a boatswain, under rather singular circumstances. Captain Helgeson states the boatswain, an Irishman, named Wm. Bolger, had been drinking heavily at Dunedin, and that on Wednesday last he appeared to be suffering from an attack of the horrors. Bolger asked Captain Helgeson on that day to load his gun and shoot him, because there were Maoris coming on board to kill him, and he would rather be shot than fall into their hands. Bolger then pleaded with the captain to cut his arm off with a knife, and then the former considered it necessary for the man’s safety to put him in irons. When in the irons the hootswain managed to get hold of a looking glass, which he broke into atoms, and cut his face most fearfully with the pieces, under the impression that he was tatooing himself. A watchman was then placed over the unfortunate man, and remained with him until Wednesday night last. At 25 minutes past 2 o’clock the boatswain asked the watchman to get him a drink of water, and the latter went in the direction of the pantry for the purpose. No sooner had he turned, however, than Bolger leaped overboard. The alarm was at once gives, and a boat cut away within the space of two minutes. She was speedily manned, and pulled towards Bolger, who was seen struggling in the water, but before he could be reached he sank and was seen no more.