AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXIX, Issue 8186, 18 July 1906, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

THE BALLINA MURDERS. FURTHER PARTICULARS. Received July 17, 10.36 a\m. SYDNEY, July 17, Brown was an ex-training ship boy. and bad worked for O'Keefe's for three yeprs. Recently be left, and obtained employment at Ballina He is not a volunteer, but on Saturday borrowed a uniform from a companion, with the view of having his photo taken. Attached to it was a small sword, or bayonet, and this weapon apparently played a terrible part in the tragedy, the bodies bearing numerous stabs. A blood-stained nxe and tomahawk and a bush hook have ebo been discovered. The goody of Gillet, or GillioK was fearfully hacked.

The time of O'Keefe's murder is not known, but Gillick must have been killed between nine o'clook—when he left the house of a ueighbour some distance away—and ten o'clock, at whiih hour the young O'Keefea reached home. Tim O'Keefe was badly stunned by the blow on the head received from Brown's axe., When he bid partly recovered he and his sister took refuge in a front room, where they were too terrified to mo\e u~t 1 daylight. That Brown should attack the men and Mrs O'Keefe is quite unaooount able, as be bad received from them nothing but kindness. He came tD thenv from the train-ing-ship Sobraon.

At various times he had given them trouble, and once was ordered back to the training-ship. After remaining there for some time he pleaded to be returned to O'Keefe, and the latter consented to take him.

Between Brown and Gilliok, however, for some time there bad been bad feeling.

The police inoline to the belief that Gilliok's death was the only one premeditated, and that in some way the old people learned of the soheme and sought to interfere before Gillick returned.

That would aooount for their murder before Gilliok reached the farmhouse, for it is impossible that the three murders.could have been committed, and the bodies hacked and dragged about, between the time of Gilliok's return and the coming of th«* young people from ohuro.h.

The indications are that Browu intended to remove the bodies, but was interrupted by the arrival of the young O'Keefes. The polioe from all the surrounding districts, and many civilians, are engaged in the search for Brown, who, it is stated, possesses a rifle. It is reported that he is hiding on an island in the middle of the Richmond River.

The polioe are closely watching the locality, and intend to institute a thorough search. Another rumour is that he has been seen seventeen miles from the scene of the murder. The residents throughout the district are in a state of great fear, and many are too frightened to go to bed. Brown is described aa a great reader of the "Deadwood Dick" class of literature. BROWN ARRESTED. CONFESSES TO THE MURDERS. Received July 17, 10.39 p.m. SYDNEY Jaly 17. Brown was arrested by Sergeant Kane at Dunville Creek, on the ! Tweed-Lismore railway. He had travelled sixty miles since the night of the tragedy, and submitted quiltly. He admitted killing the O'Keefes and Gilliok. MURDERER MAKES NO ATTEMPT TO DISGUISE HIMSELF. Received July 18, 12.29 a.m. SYDNEY, July 17. Exoepting having ohanged bis j clothes, Brown made no attempt to ! disguise himself or hide. He told enquirers that he was en route for 1 Tenterfleld. I When Sergeant Kane accosted him Brown gave a false name. When questioned regarding scratches on his face, Brown threw down his swag. The Sergeant then seized and handcuffed him. Browu then said: "I might as well make a clean breast of it." He confessed the swag oontained a bloodstained bayonet, and fie admitted using it when killing cne of the victims. It transpires that O'Keefe was smothered with a towel, as there were no woun-Js visible. Mrs O'Keefe was stabbed, and Gilliok's head was split open. THE FLEMINGTON RACECOURSE TRACED*. Received July 17, 9.30 a.m. MELBOURNE, July 17. In connection with the tragio death of MoLeod, the bookmaker, who was kicked to death ty the mob at Flemington Racecourse on Saturday, the polioe are finding great difficulty in obtaining direct evidence, and no arrests have yet been made. The Victorian Racing Club is seeking power to aisume possession of "The Flat," and make a small charge, and thus be able to control the crowd. u AN ARREST MADE. Received July 17, 10.37 p.m. MELBOURNE, July 17. A man named Fletcher has been arrested on a cnarge of having murdered McLeod at Flemington.

CABLENKWS. By Telejrapk—Pres« AsoocUlion— Copyrigqr

SOUTH AUSTRALIAN EXPORTS. Received July*l7, 9.30 a.m. ADELAIDE, July 17. South Australian exports for the last naif year lepresented jE9(is,oot) above the previous corresponding half-year, brend-stuffs contributing £364,0U0 of the increase. THB3 PLAQUE. Received July 17, 9.28 a.m. SYDNEY, July 17. A plague-infected rat has been discovered at Enmnre (adjucert to Sydney), near where the late case oame from. This is a new area of iufoctirn. FIRE AT ANNaNDALU. Received July 17, 9.45 a.m. SYDNEY, July 17. A fire at Annandale, a suburb of Sydnev, destroyed ten small weatherboard shops. The damage is covered by insurance. THE LANDS SCANDAL. Received July 18, 1 a.m. SYDNEY, July 17. The is discussing Mr MoGowan's motion oausuring the Government for having failed to enable Parliament to vindicate its honour; and digaity in connection with the Lands Commissioners' finding. Mr MoGowan admitted that he had no hope of carrying the motion. Little interest was shown in the debate. Mr W. P. Crick challenged Mr MoGowan to resign and contest his (Crick's) seat. BY-ELECTIONS. Received July 18, 12.40 a.m. PERTH, July 17. Th 9 by-elections resulted as follow: Guildford, Mr Johnston (Labour); South Premantle, Mr Davies (Ministerialist). * This leaves the parties unaltered.