NEW CALEDONIA.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXI, Issue 182, 2 August 1900, Page 3

NEW CALEDONIA.

VIOLENT CRIMES.IN THE COLONY.

It would seem that crimes of violence have been somewhat common of late in New Caledonia. Several serious cases were heard at the recent Assize Court at - NoumenL A man named Celestin Prend'houme was charged with attempting- to murder his wife, Rosita. The accused, who kept a shop, stabbed his Avife four times with a knife on the neck and chin, and their daughter, eight years old, who went between them in the sti'iiggle, was wounded on the leg. The screams of the children brought the neighbours to the scene, and the man was apprehended. He pleaded •that he had become excited by his wife's disobedience in not going to "bed when told. Hg had previously been convicted of violent conduct, and the Court ordered him to be imprisoned for two years.

A convict named Glad was charged with the murder of another convict named Dbugas in the Genie Valley, in the Island of Bran. During- a. quarrel the accused stabbed•the other in the neck. It was shown that a deal of provocation had been given, aaid that the accused was a half-witted sort of fellow, and had for n ldng time borne

a good character. He was sentenced to five years' imprisonment. '

At the same Court, Guillame Caddion was brought up for haying attempted to murder a man named Courtin. Both were on ticket of leave a,nd were about to fight, r*nt were prevented. Accused subsequently went to the residence of Courtin and stabbed him several times in a1 ferocious manner. He was sentenced to ten years' hard labour.