AUCKLAND.

Thames Star, Volume XIII, Issue 4264, 31 August 1882, Page 2

AUCKLAND.

Last night,

Supposed Murder.

Much excitement was caused by the discovery of a supposed case of murder, Some weeks ago a girl named Johnston was committed for trial at Cambridge for concealment of birth, and admitted to bail. She arrived in town on Monday, and soon afterwards was taken violently ill with great bodily prostration, accompanied by vomiting. Acting under pressure of his mother, Cleaver, the seducer of the girl, married her on what was supposed to be her death-bed, and soon afterwards she died. The funeral was to have taken place this afternoon, but suspicions having been aroused, a post mortem examination of the body waa made, and arsenic found^in the stomach. It is quite evident she died from poison, and there is no reason whatever to suppose it is a case of suicide. The police are certain the girl has been murdered, but no arrest has yet been made.

The inquest on Mrs Cleaver has been adjourned for a week. The stomach has been sent to Mr Pond for analysis. Mr Johnston, the girl's father, says he is morally certain she did not commit suicide. When he last saw her, she was in excellent health and spirits, and remarked to him—" Do you think I would be fool enough to take away my own life."

[Per Press Association.]