DUNEDIN.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3517, 16 October 1882, Page 3

DUNEDIN.

October 16

The Supreme Court was occupied again all Saturday with the Papakaio murder case, in which Alexander Beattie is charged with the murder of Sarah Adams, who was living with him as his wife. Mr Hoggett, Crown Prosecutor, started his Bddress to the jury at 10 o'clock, and was followed by Mr O'Meagher, the counsel for the prisoner, who continued until 4 o'clock. Mr O'Meagher eet up the theory to the iury that the deceased first attempted suicide by hanging—this was in a deserted- hut near her residence —that in her own house she made a second attempt, this time using a razor and trying to cut her throat, but again the attempt was in vain ; that then, in a wretched state of mind, she wandered outside, fell down a bank adjacent to the creek, aod struck her head against a tree, and lastly fell into a small creek where sbe was found, having died there from cold and exposure. His Honor, in summing up, said the jury would have first to determine whether or not the woman died by murder. A doubt on this question would render necessary the prisoner's acquittal, bat if they had no doubt on the point then came the further question, did the accused commit the murder ? Reviewing the medical evidence as to the nature of the wounds, on that head he thought they must certainly come to the conclusion that the woman died by murder, and he then proceeded to set out the facts detailed for or against the assumption that Beattie did the deed. The jury retired about 8 o'clock, but as they had not come to any decision at midnight they were locked up until this morniog. On the Court resuming the foreman of the jury intimated that there was no probability of agreeing and the jury were then discharged. Mr O'Meagber said he was unequal to the task of proceeding with the case again at present, and he agreed that a new trial should take place at the January sittings. Beattie was then removed to his former custody. Eight of the Jury were for acquitting the prisoner, and the remainder for finding a verdict of guilty. Jane Elizabeth Gray, 22 yeare of age, attempted to commit suicide at Ocean Beach yesterday. She was observed to place a bottle to her lips, and then dash into the waves. She was rescued with some difficulty, and in an exhausted condition. On examination at the hospital no trace of poison was found. No reason has yet been assigned for the act. Petitions are in course of signature here praying the Queen to establish a protectorate over the New Hebrides. Patrick Brown, single, a labourer, was killed by a fall of earth at the Mornington tramway works at High street today.