THE AUCKLAND MYSTERY.

Marlborough Express, Volume XVII, Issue 296, 19 December 1882, Page 2

THE AUCKLAND MYSTERY.

PULLER DETAILS. Ox enquiries being made by the police, a variety of evidence, presumptive, and iv some cases direct, was obtained, tending to show that Priestley and Mrs Hamilton had been very intimate ; that the domestic relations of Mr and Mrs Hamilton had, for some time past, been of an unhappy character, and that the unfortunate deceased was jealous of his wife. No absolute proof of improper intercourse between the accused pair has been obtained. In order to ascertain what Priestley had to say for himself, Suparin-

tendent Thomson determined to interrogate him m person, and accordingly a messenger was sent for him. He was found between 4 and 5 p.m. m the house ot Mr Alexander Xeilson (Hamilton's brother-in-law) m Eden-terrace district. Mrs.. Hamilton has been residing there since the inquest, and Priestley has been making occasional visits thero. Priestley readily accompanied the messenger back to the police station, and was duly questioned. He made so many contradictory Statements, however, that the Superintendent's suspicions were strengthened aga;nst him,, and when Mrs Hamilton was seen, and she also gave contradictory - information, it was resolved to lose no further time m proceeding to action. The dwelling-places of both 'prisoners were visited, and sufficient evidence was obtained to justify Superintendent Thomson m issuing warrants for the arrest of both Mrs Hamilton . and Priestley. In the woman's house an old and greatly used|American axe was discovered, which to a casual observed presents no unusual appearance. The critical eye of a detective, however, perceived sonic dull stains upon the blunt edge of the iron head and along contiguous portions of the handle. Both the wood and metal looked as if there had been a recent attempt made to cleanse them, but the assumed effort to erase the suspicious looking ; stains had been entirely unsuccessful. The officer was besides convinced that tney were blood stains, but this remains to hi shown by medical a lalyaii. No other fresh traces of blood seem to have been got m or about thehouse, but there is one other collateral fact bearing upon Hamilton's alleged inebriety, that is held to be of significance. It has been ascertained that, after returning home, he placed the Orange Lodge books on their accustomed shelf, and, m accordance with his habit, also took his Watch away from! his'waistcoat, and carefully hung it up. These are looked upon- as singularly exact precautions for a drunken man to take. Among Priestley's clothing further suspicions evidence was brought tf> light. A pair of dark 1 tweed 'trousers,' somewhat '«forji? inajfpearanqe,' jrere; found; loosely packed' away m his trunk? with -'other clothing, and, after a oursory inspection, a moist ;and dark-colored .spot was detected' at' lhe' very bottom of one of the : legs. The searchers, also came across, a, hankerchief 'stainedhere and 'therewith' blood; ■'The'warrant.fo'r Prieatly's arrest was put m execution this afternoon by, Defectives , ;-. Walker;') rjandv •,; ptratbern. : PriestlyVas found at his lodgings m .the ' dwelling of Mr A. Neilsoni, Mouut'Edeh, ! at 'which house Mrs Hamilton .also re-, aides. : When the officers. tf.ade -known their business . hs made no . statement, beingr apparently fully ~ prepared. Mrs Hamilton was taken into'cu'stb'dy at'a later period. It is said that Mr Richardson, deputy-superintendent of St Jamea' Sunday-school, met Priestley about 7.30 .o'clock on the night of the 28th ultimo,; going into" Mr Gorrie's 'house^in' 'Pi'rf- ! street, and m conversing with- him Priestley mentioned he intended to walk walk ont'to' Ouehuiiga that'.iiighti ' 'Mr RicbiaWlson ' r'ejnarfceti r>pon ; the singularity of such' an 'undertaking, but got no explanation of it. They then parted, and 'on 'the' following' morning, when Hamilton's death J* as .reported,-<Prieatley came to him, and- reminded him thut he had- said oppthe previous, night , that hs was going' out to One'linbga. "Of course, the newaflanaed great sensation m town, both, on account pi 'Priestley's character and repute 'as' a Suridy-scnoor' teacher and theologioal'student, and Mi's Hamilton's relationship to the alleged victim, as well as her supposed connection with theiother prisoner/ .-(The 1 case 'is: one, of ' the most sensational character, and sofar r jt; is .built , up almost • entirely of circumstantial evidence. Thomas Priestley is by no means a- stranger m .Auckland, for, being, of. a religious trim 'of'iriind,' and' what' 'was considered a most upright young man, he made numerous, acquaintances, especially among those of /the Presbyterian persuasion. ..^ot(r -years 'ago rhe^ lived at! Awitri, hear^Manakiu; Heads, : and there, it is stated, was hot m the beat of cireum.stances.. But -a turn m the wheel of 'fortune placed him soon m" an : almp3t. independent position. It came about'-in this, wayj A gentleman at Awitu, : named M'Tie'r, sold his estate for a considerable sum of money, and resolved to piit it to -some useful purpose, and 'about the game time Tiiomas Priestly; attracted his attention by suddenly, leaving the Roman; Catholic ; Church, of , which , he. had been .previously a'warm supporter,, ' Priestly ' professed l to' tie'e ! in ; a'-' new Itfjht, and -r-e; ; turned i Protestant. ' was; just the man M'Tier wanted,, -and' he.decided to, lend hini.a helpiDg hari(l m his ''search: after truth!'"- Priestly, about this time,' became an object of public sympathy, owing to several misfortunes which fell' fast npon him. One night his whare was burned, and there were not wanting many mouths to declare that this was. the work of some religious opponent, who bad become wroth hecause of Priestly's turning from the church of his fathers. Howevor, M'Tier took him iv hand, as he (M'Tier), had a great | desire, to do something inrtbe.raligious'cauae.Sand as he was too'old himself togo'about preaching, he resolved to send Priestly and another young man to Auckland, and there assist them m their preparation for the ministry. Priestly, on being asked whether he was agreeable to such a proposal, said there was nothing be desired more, -'and it Was -arranged -he should become *a Presbyterian student. His friend was rather inolitt^d to the Wesley ana, but their patron wouid not assist him m that way, aud he accordingly consented to join Priestly and cast m his lot with the Presbyterians. They came: to Auckland about two years ago, and both started to study hard for neither could boast of any great scholarly attainments yet. Priestley was not willing to waste either time or money and with this object m view he got employment at the Auckland Timber Mills. Here .he remained for about twelve months, pursuing his studies during the evening with much energy. He also, during this time, became connected with St. James 1 Presbyterian Sunday School, Band of Hope, and other institutions connected therewith, and proved » moat active worker m all he undertook. In the Sunday school he taught a large class of boys, and occasionally opened and closed school with prayer; he led the prayer meetings and conducted Sunday morning Bible classes m connection with the Presbyterian examinations. When it happened, as it did upon one or two occasions, that the minister of the Church could not attend the weekly prayer meetings, Priestley came to the fore and pioved a very able aubstistute. He generally appeared greatly affected by religious services, and had the appearanne of a very pious young man indeed. He spoke slowly, deliberately, and impressively and his discourses were usually much appreciated. In fact, he was looked or ward to as a most promising student. About a year since he ceased manual labor altogether and devoted himself solely to study. He became connected with the Reverend P. Mason's advanced class, and from that time until the present has been a student there. Respecting his personal appearance, Priestley looks between 24 and 2G years of age, andis rather above the medium height. He is about the last man suspicion would connect w^th the crime with which*, he is now charged without some evidence of a very implicatory character being forthcoming. Hugh Aitken Hamilton, deceased, was a tall, powerfully-built man, 31 years of age, of florid complexion, and mild temper. For many years he worked with Messrs Sargood, Sons, and Ewen, ware-

housemen, but for some short time prior to his death was m the employ of Archibald Clark and Sons, Shortland-strect. He tool; great interest m the Newton Orange Society, and held a responsible position as secretary td the lodgei He wrts also a regular church-goer, and attended St. James' Church witli great regularity, sometimes iv company with his wife or mother, but ofteper alone. The Sunday school also occupied a good deal of his time. , and he for many years taught a class of I boys; For 3ome time he was very zenlmtn m the Work, bnt for the last few months of his life he appeared less inclined for it, [•and was very irregular m lns^attendance. It has been stated he inclited'towards intemperance, but few persons can.be found to assert he was unable to take care of himself. That his death should be cause d, therefore, m any way by exoessive drinking was difficult for many to believe, and great 'B'E.rnrise was expresaod by his friends when the disclosures on this head were made at the inquest. Miriam Hamilton, wife of the deceased, Who ii also suspected of being implicated m this strange and melancholy case, is a woman 35 years of age, somewhat tall, and possessing rather hard features. So far as can be learned, she lived witli her husband on good terms since their marriage up till a short time ago, when the husband's jealousy led to occasional words, He had two or three children, of; whom Hamilton was exceed* ingly fond, and they proved one of the greatest attractions of his house. Mrs Hamilton's mother, sisters, and brother are at present m town, and she lived with them from the time of her husband's death until within a few days ago, when she removed to Eden -terrace district. She has throughout the inquiry exhibited very little emotion, and when spoken to on the subject of . her husband's death has answered all questions and given voluntary statements regarding the circumstances clearly, and with no apparent reserve.