WESTLAND.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 11, Issue 838, 26 March 1867, Page 4

WE STL AND.

MURDEROUS ASSAULT AT HOKITLKA, One of those outrages not uncommon in large and more settled communities, but from which that of Hokitika bas hitherto enjoyed a singular immunity, occurred in the Provincial Hotel, Revell-street, yesterday morning, and for a time threw the whole town into a state of intense commotion. The parties directly concerned were the barmaid and cook at the above hotel, and, from what we can gather, it appears tbat an ill-feeling existed between them that finally culminated in a quarrel nearly resulting in the death of the unfortunate woman. The cook is a coloured man, a native of tbe Cape de Verd Islands, and goes by the name of George Vincent; the barmaid, who also filled the situation of housekeeper to the establishment, being a fine young woman named Anne Keelan, of Irish parentage. Between seven and eight o'clock she proceeded to the kitchen for the purpose of ascertaining if breakfast was ready, and, finding no preparations making, soundly rated the cook for his neglect. He without more ado closed and locked both doors, and swore he would murder her if she made any complaint, and then advanced towards her in so threatening a manner that, being naturally alarmed, the brave girl stood upon the defensive, and when the villain came within reach knocked him down. He immediately regained his feet, and, seizing a meat knife, rushed upon his victim ancpin^'flicted a ghastly wound upon her right breast, and throwing her down, attempted to accomplish his murderous intent. She, however, fought desperately, meanwhile screaming loudly for assistance, and her cries being heard by a butcher named Skeen (whose shop adjoined the kitchen), he hastened to ascertain the cause of such an outcry, and, finding the door locked, burst it open. Tbe would be murderer, knife in hand, immediately turned upon the new comer, and made a desperate stab at him, but the latter avoided it by shutting the door, which received the blow, tbe knife being half driven through the panel. Taking advantage of this diversion in her favor, the poor girl regained her feet, and, opening the door, rushed into the passage, but was. immediately followed by the darkey, who again threw her down, and stabbed her twice in the back. By tbis time the house was thoroughly alarmed, and half-a-dozen persons hastened to the passage, whereupon the scoundrel left his victim and made for the sea-beach, casting his knife from him as he went. He was pursued by a crowd of persons, and, being hard pressed, plunged into the surf, and absolutely swam outside the breakers, and tbere remained, apparently quite at home in the water. Information of what had taken place having been conveyed to the camp, several constables were despatched to the scene, who, keeping Vincent in view, followed him as be swam, and was carried northwards by the current. Arriving abreast the Montezuma (a distance of nearly a mile) be showed signs of exhaustion, and made for the shore, but seeing tbe beach covered witb people, all eager for bis capture, he hesitated in bis approach, and appeared inclined to put to sea again. At tbis juncture of affairs, Constable Rice volunteered to swim after him, and a long line being fortunately at hand, was attached to the constable's waist, who thereupon dashed into the surf, and being a strong swimmer, soon reached Vincent. A desperate struggle ensued, Constable Bice clinging to his man with bull-dog tenacity, the other as desperately struggling to free himself, both men being several times covered by the surf as it rolled in. Seeing tbat the constable had secured the man, those on shore commenced hauling in the line, which being old and rotten, broke, but fortunately a little distance only from the first man holding it. A young fellow named Morgan, observing the mishap, made a dash at the end, which he caugbt just as it was disappearing in the surf, and being aided by a score of willing hands, succeeded in hauling the two men ashore, Vincent was immediately taken to the Camp, and at a later hour appeared before the Eesident Magistrate, but only to be remanded until the young woman could appear in evidence against him. She having been attended upon by Dr. Dermott, was pronounced to be dangerously, but — we are happy to say — not fatally wounded, and is now lying at the Provincial Hotel, with every chance of recovery. The knife was picked up by a person who observed Vincent throw it down. It is a formidable weapon, having a blade nine inches in length, and is stained with blood six inches from the point. The intrepid conduct of Constable Rice is deserving of the highest praise, as he placed his own life in tbe most imminent jeopardy to bring the offender to justice.— West Coast Times, March 12. State op Nobth Spit.— The breach in the North spit was extended very considerably by the heavy sea of yesterday, for the tide being a high one placed the gap nearly on a level with the surf, which rushed through with great force, and towards high water quite cut off all communication with the signal-station. As the tide made, the surf increased, and when the former reached its height broke not only through the gap but over that portion of the spit tbat was so devastated on Thursday, and still further reduced its proportions. Crowds of people assembled to witness the havoc going on, and the opinion that the river must soon break through seemed general. When that long prognosticated event will take place is however doubtful, as the spit, shrunken though it be, yet presents a tolerable barrier that will only .be overcome by a very • high flood and surf combined. Some of the rollers that burst through yesterday were i very heavy, and washed quantities of logs and drift wood (cast up by the sea) into the river. Once a mob of horses were placed i in imminent jeopardy, for whilst they were attempting to cross the channel a succession of tremendous curlers swept it, washing one animal off his legs against the roots of a large snag, that fortunately stayed his fur- ' ther progress, and gave the remainder a , sound ducking. Only half of them gained ' the north side, the rear-guard turning back, ' evidently considering the passage too risky ' to be twice attempted under such circum- ! stances. — Ibid, March 11.