FATAL QUARREL.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 3085, 23 April 1892, Page 2

FATAL QUARREL.

(BY TELEGBAPII.— PRESS ASSOCIATION.) Kajio, Thursday. A ruob'OUND sensation was caused in this township when it became known that a tfi-rible tragedy had taken place on the previous day at Helena Bay, about 20 miles from Whangaroi, on the coast, a settler named Arthur Kattan being shot dead. At au early hour this morning (half-psst eight) a setter, Mr Loosmore, reported to Constable Monre, of Kami, the fatal occurrence, a settler named Ilobert Butler, nf the same place, being the alleged perpetrator. Constable Moore promptly wen', in pursuit of Butler, anil he wn; found coming into Whangarei by the Hiluu-angi 'bin. Hβ was at once arrested, and subsequently confessed to the crime, and narrated to the constable the circumstances of the affrav. Butler said that he and Ki.ttan had had a quarrel about money matters on Wednesday, moniimr, when KaMan drew a knife and stabbed him in three placna in the chest, of which he bears marks. He then drew a revolver and shot Kattan dead. Mr Arthur Kattan, the victim of the abnvo outrage, was a native of Switzerland, and a skilful grape-grower and wine-maker. Seven or eight years ng > he took up some land a-t Helena Bay, under the homestoad settlement principle, and was a quiet, industrious, and active young man, about 30 to 3S years of age When he came to Auckland he knew very little of English, but since his arrival here he has become a very tair English scholar. Having been accustomed t-jthe culture of the vina in his native country, ho adopted that industry here, and had a considerable number of vines in cultivation besides other frait tree?. On his visits to town he has always

sunken hopefully of the ultimate success of wine-growing in the northern part of Isew Zealand. A number of his countrymen are gathered at the same district. Butler, who is alleged to be the murderer, is a German, and a much stouter built man than Kattui, and resided for some time in Australia before coming to New Zealand. He was also tho occupier of a soction of land in Helena B;iy, and so far as known appeared to be fairly prosperous and progressive. On the sevsr.il visits to Auckland, both men appeared to be sober and well-behaved, and so far as in town were acquainted with them, were decided friends.