MURDER AT WAIKAWA.

Clutha Leader, 20 September 1878, Page 3

MURDER AT WAIKAWA.

♦ On Monday afternoon, Sergeant Oomyn here received the following telegram from Inspector Fox, of Invercargill : — "Mrs Welsh, Waikawa Station, murdered, supposed by her husband, James Welsh, about noon 15th instant. Description — Irish, 33 years old, sft 4in high, dark brown hair, light whiskers inclining to be red and full on cheeks, small moustache same colour, small face and forehead, shaves temples, teeth very dark, brown eyes with wild expression, while walking leans forward and swings from side to side with legs wide apart ; dark tartan Mosgiel dress, check about half an inch wide, nearly new. Had a meerschaum pipe, eagle claws round bowl, centre one broken. Mrs Welsh found murdered by D. K. M'Rae. Her husband absent." The police everywhere have been keeping strict outlook for Welsh and on Wednesday afternoon Inspector Fox arrested him in Waikawa Bush, about threequarters of a mile from M'Rae's station. He does not deny the charge of wilfully murdering his wife last Sunday. He says she took all his money, then turned round upon him. Welsh came from Victoria six years ago with Mr Chisholm, of Henley Estate, in whose employ he remained for three years. He afterwards worked at Balclutha and at' Tapanui. The murdered woman's maiden name was Bridget Lousia Richardson, She was a;. native of Castle Dawson County Derry, ;' lreland, .and. arrived in Ih.uie.din by Vthe, Waipa inV> November; 1877,. ,, She has no frieiids iri.the Colony. , ;Up to the time she,wasy;married she. -Had. been in service at the, Taieri, where Welsh became acquainted with her.. ; - .•-.•-'■ ./"■'/;;;;'■?■"■■ ~s " ■■".'■•. ■::.r;- i yi.-;-,:-:.: _■'„.-: ."■■'-::