VIOLENT DEATHS.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXVI, Issue 4147, 28 November 1870, Page 3

VIOLENT DEATHS.

The mystery which has surrounded the disappearance of Captain J oseph Kemp Weston from his residence in Symonds-street, on the sth of November, 1867, is now appareutly cleared up. When he left hia home at that date, he proceeded in the direction of Titirangi ranges, and called at the house of a settler named Edward Lovett, when he stayed until the 7th. On that day he borrowed a single-barrelled pistol, for the ostensible purpose of going to the bush to fthoot a wild pig, and left a heavy signet ring as security for the safe return of the pistol. He never returned, however, and, an uneasy feeling having arisen respecting his safety, the th«n Commissioner of Police sent a constable to make inquiry respecting him. The constable returned without finding any tidings of Captain Weston, save the signet ring, which was identified by Mrs. Weston as that worn by her husband. This confirmed tho genet al impression that he had committed suicide. Humours were current that Captain Weston had been afterwards seen in Sydney, Dunedin, &c, but the fullest inquiries that the police authorities could institute failed to substantiate these rumours. Iv this position the matter remained for some time, and Mrs. Weston left Auckland for Melbourne, where »he i» believed to be at praaent. No clue was obtained to explain Captain Wcston's disappearance until last Saturday, about | S o'clock, when a settler, named Joseph Cantwell, of Waikomiti, came upon the bleached skull and bones of a human being, in the bush, some distance from Hendersons Mill. Besides the bones were found a pistol (very rusty), a teaspoon, a leaden bullet, a small white ball (very light), some gilt buttons, one of which had a crown upon it. The buttons were similar to those worn by Captain Weston. Mr. Cantwell suspected tne remains to be those of the missing Captain Weaton, and yesterday forenoon he reported the matter to Inspector Broham, who sent Constable Bullen out to see Mr. Lovett, and to learn if the pistol found was the one lent to Captain Weston three years ago. At one o'clock this morning Constable Bullen had not returned, but there cannot be a doubt that the remains found are those of Captain Weston, as he was seen by Mr. Lovett's family to go to the bush in the direction where the remains have now been found. We shall give the result of the constable's inquiries in a future issue.