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Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 2521, 3 February 1877, Page 2

The R.M. Court was full this morning, ithe unusual crowd being caused by the rumour that Bogers* or Armstrong who accused himself of murdering his mate Bed Bill, was to be brought up. The accused was recognized by several persons in the Court, and he himself gave token of recognition to one or two. He appeared quite unconcerned, and passed the ;irae grinning at those in Court, and calling in a whisper to several dogs bejonging to Court officials/, for which he was reprimanded several times by the constable in charge.

In. the statement made by Rogers or Armstrong to the constable* at Wangarei", relative to the alleged murder of Red Bill (which statement was published in our issue of Thursday), the self-accused murderer is reported to have said that he'and Red Bill met at a house Kept by Maggie Winepress. In some papers this has been made still worse by a reference to character which is undeserved. Further, we have been requested to state that at the time of -Red Bill's .disappearance " Maggie Winepress " was a young girl in her teens, and in respectable service. In justice. to this arid her husband, to whom; r 'utt!3e's[erTed^pdiani-at(:aches x through this public, mention of the former's 7 maiden name in connection with such a painful case, we, at their request, make this explanation. The same name was again brought up in the evidence adduced in Court to-day.

An unusual occurrence took place at the Dunedin Gaol last week. The Star says :—" Some four months ago a prisoner waited on the chairman of the Visiting Justices, and made application to be aljowed to . form 'a ' Mutual • Improrenient and Debating Society among the prisoners, he representing that, in his opinion, it would probably prove a means of derating the moral tone of the place. Permission was granted on the recommendation of -tli0". Qpyernor of the Gaol, and upon the applicant pledging himself for the good behaviour of the members; The society was then formed, and conducted iv a similar manner to kindred institutions in the: city; Papers on various subjects have been brought forward and discussed, and altogether the class has: proved itself a decidfa success. Last Friday evening a special meeting was held in consequence of its founder being about'to leave the following day, and the members wishing him =to carry with him an earnest of their gratitude and esteem for his efforts on their behalf. A testimonial, nicely engrossed' old parch-^ ment, was got up and signed; by all the members and by the chaplain (Mr Torrance) who was, present. Various speeches were made wishing the recipient of the testimonial every success in thej future, and Mr Torrance earnestly hoDed that the proceedings of that evening would have a lasting effect on all minds as showing that a kindly spirit can be exhibited under trying circumstances."-

The warrant for the execution of Martin Curtin arrived in Auckland yesterday by the s.s. Taupo, and was placed in the hands of-the Sheriff'in the course of the afternoon. Up to a late hour last night Colonel Haultain had not fired the day. His decision, however, will be tifken.this morning, and the-result- announced at the earliest moment to the condemned man. The practice has been to carry the extreme sentence of the law into execution within seven days from the receipt of the warrant.' As there "appears to be no reason for. any departure, from the prac-' tice hitherto adopted; it is probable that , the. unfortunate • man will be allowed thefuliest extension of time, possible. Judg-j ing from past cases of the kind, the execution would take place in ordinary course on Tuesday next: It is hardly necessary; to add that no shadow of hope is held out to the unhappy'culprit of any commutation of his sentence.—Heraid. I