MURDER AT DUNEDIN.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2600, 28 December 1893, Page 2

MURDER AT DUNEDIN.

A fatal affray occurred at South Duuediu about 11 o'clock on Sunday night, which resulted in the death of William Mudge, cab proprietor, and injuries to Charles Ashton, his nephew, which are not likely to prove fatal. Edward Dobson, a moulder in the employ of Messrs A. and T. Burt, and J. Eberhardt Kiifner, a German bootmaker, who has a small shop in town, have been arrested and lodged in gaol charged with murder. It appears that as two men, named Counter and Scoullar, were proceeding home along the main road they stopped on hearing a noise in passing Jones' street. Two men rushed at them, and a scuffle ensued between Scoullar and one of these men. Charles Ashton came up and interfered, and the men went away. Mudge and others also arrived on tho scene. Mudge decided to accompany Ashton home in case of further trouble, and the others stood at the corner. Mudge and Ashton had .not gone far when the others heard a row, and running up the street met Ashton who said " Pm stabbed." They saw Mudge rush on one of the men and at once reel back saying " I'm stabbed." A young man named Oliver at once rushed on the man, aud he also was stabbed, but only slightly over the right eye. The men went away just as Constable Dale arrived. The injured men were at once looked to and medical assistance sent for, but as for some reaaon the police stations are not connected with the telephone service h took a long time to get assistance. Mudge practically bled to death, as he was in a state of collapse when a conveyance was. secured to bring him to the hospital, aud in half an hour after arrival he bled to death. Ashton also lost a Jot of blood and was in a fainting condition. Before this Constable 801 l had arrived on the scene, and from what he learned entered a house close by and arrested Kichard Dobson. Dobson admitted that he had drawn his knife to a man, but said it was in self-defence after trying to protect a woman. He gave up to the constable a new large pocketknife on the ppint of which were blood stains. As he a:id t-be wounded, men were being to town some of those who saw pari; <it the affray, saw another whom they believed to be Dobson's companion and rushing on him arrested him- '-this proved to be Ktlfner, Mudge was about 45 years of age, a single man and a native of Wiltshire, England; Charles Ashton is a labourer, married, with three children. Both Dobson and Kiifner are understood to bo single men. They have hitherto had the reputation of being quiet and inoffensive, [t is supposed that they had been drinking nearly alj day in some private bouse, WJjetljep they had taken part in some scuffle before they attacked Scoullar and Counter is not known. Mudge was stabbed in the left groin, but the fatal wound was on the main artery inside the leg. Ashton was stabbed in tho leg, wrist aud head.

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Ashtou, injured in the South Dunedjn affray, is improving, and will probably recover.

The inquest on the body of William Mudge, who was killed at South Dunedin on Sunday night, wq-s formally opened today and adjourned to Wednesday week. ±tichard Dobson and J. E. Kiifner were brought up at the Police Court, charged with the murder of Mudge, and ihe hearing was adjourned to Saturday. Bail was refused.

In connection with the tragedy at South Dunectin it appears that Ashton for some reason or- other went past his own home and round to the back door of h woman named Greaves, where Dobson had stayed on Saturdry night and where he had visited on Sunday. The woman says that Ashtcii . aud Mudge tried to force their wav lU> At this stage Dobson appeaifaif on *« ensued. Mrs Greaves slipped out of the house to go to her brother close by to send him for the police, and ho brought Constable Dale, but the mischief had been done by that time.