KAIWARRA MURDER.

Waikato Times, Volume 2656, Issue 2656, 20 July 1889, Page 2

KAIWARRA MURDER.

(iSY TUI.UUK.U'H. —PRESS ASrjOClA'l ION.) Wellington, Friday. The petition in favour of the reprieve of Louis Chetnis is being numerously signed. Tlio prime movers have written to (he .Minister of Justice. to name the date when it, can be handed in, awl also ir he will allow a deputation to present it to his Lxcelleuey direct. , . Last evening Mr Jellicoo visited Terrace Gaol, and held a lengthened conversation with the prisoner, the utterances of each being taken down in shorthand on behalf of the Government. Mr Jellicoa is now engaged in looking np evidence on behalf of the prisoner. Mr Jeilicoo has written a warm letter to the Minister of Justice, pro testing against the course adopted by the Government shorthand reporter being preRent and asking for a private interview with the prisoner. The Government have not taken Chetnis case into consideration, as they are waiting the Judge's formal report, and the evidence which Mr Jcllicoe is said to be preparing. The Executive are determined not to hurry Chemis' case, but to cause the fullest investigation into tins whole of the circumstances connected with the murder.

[fkom oun own cokukspoxdent]. The petition for a reprieve in Chernis's case is still being largely signed in all parts of the town and district. Humours of all kinds, according to the Press, are still very rife about the town this inoniinij. Some were to the effect that the jurymen had gone mad, and the minori'y were forced into acquiescence, in the verdict by the majority ; that one of them did not know whac would be the result of his giving in. and therefore did so, etc. Others took a dillerent turn, and it was asserted that, the accused's powder-ft isk and wad punch had been found in his house, and also the tin in which the quail were said by the prisoner to be; that the Italian cook, whose body was found floating in the harbour near the Petone Wharf, some days ago, had been noticed going about in a very despondent state of mind, and the dark deed was attributed to him. Others again affirm that a man has been found who saw a struggle between Hawkins and the murderer, whoever he was, and the eye-witness was hitherto too much afraid to say anything about it. Also that a dagger and false whiskei-3, etc., had been discovered near the scene of the murder. It is needless to say that these are nothing more nor less than the idle vumpours of the. "man in the street," and so tar as can be ascertained there is not the least foundation for any of them. It is stated that Mr J. L'evin, solicitor, the other counsel who was engaged in the defence of Louis Ghetnis at the Supreme Court last week, is seriously ill, and is being attended to by l)r. Cahill.