WELLINGTON

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 2178, 28 December 1875, Page 2

WELLINGTON

Monday, Murderous Attack.

This morning a German at McKirdy's camp, Upper Hutt, was accused of theft by one of his mates, upon which he struck his accuser down with an axe, and served three other men in the same manner. He then made for the bush, and has not yet been captured. One only of the four escaped with slight wounds. Tho other three were brought into the Hospital this afternoon, but two are not expected to live many hours. Sapphire Maj is the name of the man who committed a murderous assault at the Upper Hutt. One victim, William Paul, has his brains protruding from a fearful gash in his skull. Harry Young has his skull laid open and his jugular vein cut. William Leedle has six terrible wounds, and the collar bone is cut in two, and the thick part of the thigh is cut into (he bone. The armed police are out searching with people in the neighbourhood, and the road is guarded. The assault was committed with an American axe, used for falling timber. Maj went to the tent and called Harry Young first. As he came out he was struck down, and one by one the others were struck as they caraeoutof the tent. Maj was also armed with a revolver. When he made off he had the revolver and axe with him.

This day. The Murderer Caught. Sapphire Maj, the murderer, was caught in the bush yesterday after running half-a-mile. When discovered he gave in without resistance. He was brought up this morning, but was at once sent off to the hospital to be identified by the dying men. The case stands adjourned. Disastrous Fire. Aplin'a music shop, Lambton Quay, was burned down about four o'clock this morning. The stock was insured for £4100 in the Standard, £400 in the Imperial; building, £400 in the Standard. The value of the stock destroyed is said to be about £1800. The origin of the fire is unknown. When first seen the flames were issuing from a skylight in the roof. The house was uninhabited.