THE MASTERTON MURDER.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 9125, 8 June 1895, Page 8

THE MASTERTON MURDER.

(PKESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAMS.) WELLINGTON, June 7. The inquest ou the remains of the murdeied man Herbert was opened at Masterton this afternoon. Andrew John Somerville, the perpetrator of the orime, was charged at the Misterton Court to-day with wilful murder. The prisoner walked with a firm step into the Court, and, beyond casting his eyes piercingly into the assembled crowd, seemed to take no interest in the proceedings. Mr Powneli npoeared on his behalf. On the apphcatiou of the police, the case was adjourned till Saturdej morning. MASTERTON, June 7. The inquest on the remains of Arthur Herbert waa concluded this evening, a verdict of " Wilful murder" being returned against Andrew J. Somerville. No new facts were elicited. Somervillo con* tinues calm and unmoved. He will be charged before tho S.M. Court to-morrow morning. Herbert's remains will bo taken to Herbertville, Huwke's Bay, where he hae a wife and seven children.

The victim of the tragedy was a brother of Mr Jease Herbert ana Mrs Chas. Dfccon, of Miisiurton. tie was about forty yean of of age, stoutly built, with a full beard, bat minus one eye. He <vue a sou of the lato Mr Joseph Herbert, fouuderof Hcrbertville, at whicti place he was born. Hβ waa a contractor, and quiet and inoffeneive in hia manner. He was a man whom it would be difficult to quarrel wiiJ), and waa highly respected by those who knew him. Andrew SomerWJle, the rain in custody, appears to be about forty years of age. Ho was born in the County of Tyrone, Ireland, and had been in the colony about tweuty years. He came to MaatertoD whea the tailway works between' here and Eketahuna were in progress, working both for Messrs O'Malley and Pepperili and for Messrs Downes and Henderson. Since the completion of the railway he lies been working on various contracts. For about two years he has been working for hie victim {Mr Herbert) at Herbertvillo. He came down to Mastertou about a fortnight ago, and. obtained employment from a gentleman at Vangaroa. He expressed an intention of leaving Masterton for new employment as soon as his Court case was over, but on Thursday afternoon he said he had changed his mind. The habits of Somerville are said to have been above reproach. As a workman he could nob be beaten, and as a mate ho waa esteemed and respected by all whoknewhim, He is possessed of a short temper, but no man who knew him would dream for a moment that he would be guilty of the orime with which he now stands charged. During the fortnight he stayed at Messrs Street and Crowder'e boardiDg-houee hia conduct waa exemplary; he was liked by all, and. although he took a drink occasionally, he was never seen under the influence oi liquor. Somerville is a single man, ap,« it is believed he has a brother in the South Island. He is fully six feet in height, mi is a stout, muscular, fine-looking fellow. His hair ii turning grey.