Death of Hugh Hamilton.

Thames Star, Volume XIII, Issue 4356, 16 December 1882, Page 2

Death of Hugh Hamilton.

HIS SUPPOSED MURDERERS. (Per Press Association.) . Auckland, Friday. ' A variety of evidence presumptive, and in some cases direct, was obtained tending to show that Priestley and Mrs Hamilton had been very intimate; that the domestic relations of Mr and Mrs Hamilton had for some time past been of an unhappy character; and unfortunately, the deceased was jealous of his wife. No absolute proof of improper intercourse between the accused pair has been obtained, bat they were frequently together, and Priestly had more than once taken the woman to St. James's Church. In the meantime suspicion got abroad, and it ..became the subject of common talk, both in the neighborhood and amongst the congregation of St. James's. No other fresh traces of blood seem to have been got in or about the house, but there is one other collateral fact bearing upon Hamilton's alleged inebriety that appears to be of significance. It has been ascertained that after returning home he placed the Orange lodge books on their accustomed shelf, and in accordance with his habit took his watch away from his waistcoat and carefully hung it up. These are looked upon as singularly»exact precautions for a drunken man to take. Richardson, the Deputy-Superintendent of St. James' Sunday School, met Priestley about 7.30 o'clock on. the night of. the 28th ult. going into Gorrie's house in Pitt street, and in conversing with him, Priestley mentioned he intended to walk out to Onehunga that night. Richardson remarked upon the singularity of such an undertaking, but got no explanation of it. They then parted, and on the following morning, when Hamilton's death was reported, Priestly came to him and reminded him he had said on the previous night he was going out to Onehunga. Thomas Priestly is by no means a stranger in Auckland, for being of a religious turn of mind and what was considered a most upright young man, he made numerous acquaintances, especially among those of the Presbyterian persuasion. Four years ago he lived at Awitu, near the Manukau Heads. A gentleman at Awitu, named MeTier, sold his estate for a considerable sum of money, and resolved to put it to some useful purpose, and about the same time Thomas Priestly attracted his attention by suddenly leaving 1 the Roman Catholic Church, of which he had been previously a warm supporter. Priestley professed to see new light, and he turned Protestant. This was just the very man MeTier wanted, and he decided to lend him a helping hand in his " search after truth." Priestjy, also, about this time became an object of public sympathy owing to several misfortunes which fell fast upon him. One night his whare was burned down, and there were not wanting many mouths to declare this was the work of some religious opponent who had become wrath because of Priestley's turning from the Church of his fathers. However,. MeTier took him in hand. He resolved to send Priestley and another young man to Auckland, and there assist them in preparation for the ministry. Priestley, upon being asked whether he was agreeable to such a proposition, said there was nothing he desired more, and it was arranged he should become a Presbyterian student. Priestley was not willing to waste either time or money, and with this object in view he got employment at the Auckland timber mills. Here he remained for twelve months, pursuing his studies during the evenings with much energy ; he also, during this time, became connected with St. James's Presbyterian Church, Suuday School, Band of Hope, and other institutions connected there', with,* and proved a most active worker in all he undertook. la the Sunday School he taught a large class of boys, and occasionally opened and closed the school with prayer. He led prayer meetings, and conducted a Sunday morning Bible-class in connection with the Presbyterian examinations. In personal appearance, Priestly looks between 24 and 26 years of age, and is rather above medium height; he is inclined to be sickly. In short, Priestly is about the last man that suspicion would connect with the crime with which he is now charged without some evidence of a very implicatory character forthcoming. Hugh Aitken Hamilton, deceased, was a tall, powerfully built man, 31 years of age, of florid complexion, and mild temper. He took great interest in Newton Orange Society. He also was a regular church goer, and attended St. James's with great regularity, sometimes with his; wife or mother, but ofteuer alone. The Sab*

bath School also occupied a great deal of his time, and he for many years taught a class of boys. For some time he was very zealous in his work, but for the last few months qf his life he appeared less inclined forit, and was very irregular in attendance. It has been stated he inclined towards intemperance, but few persons can be found to assert he was unable to take care of himself. That his death should be caused, therefore, in any way by excessive drinking was difficult for many to believe, and great surprise was experienced by his friends when the disclosures on this head were made at the inquest. Mrs Miriam Hamilton, wife of the deceased, who is alao suspected to. be implicated in this strange and melancholy case, is a woman 35 years of age, somewhat tall, spare, and possessing rather hard features. So far as we can learn she. lived with her husband on good terms since their marriage up till a short time ago, when the husband's jealousy led to occasional words. She had two or three children, of whom Hamilton was excessively fond, and they proved one of the greatest attractions of his home.

This day. ; Priestly, who was represented by Mr Tyler, and Mrs Hamilton by Mr Theo. Cooper, were charged at the Police Court to day with Hamilton's murder, and remanded till Friday. Priestly was calm, but Mrs Hamilton was much agitated. Priestly: has made three statements, each contradicting the other re his whereabouts ou the night of the supposed murder. . (FEOM OUB OWN CbBBESPONpENT.) , It has been ascertained that Hamilton intended applying for a divorce.