OTAGO AND SOUTHLAND.

New Zealand Herald, Volume III, Issue 644, 5 December 1865, Page 5

OTAGO AND SOUTHLAND.

SUSPECTED MDK.DER..

We condense from the Southland JS r cics the particulars of the suspected murder of a female named Farrar, residing in Spey-street, Invercargill. Her husband was working at the time on a station some twenty miles from Invercargill. A neighbour, on going to her house at 8 o'clock on the morning of the loth November, found her lying dead but still warm. The post mortem examination went to prove that there were bruises about her shoulders, and a bruise inside her thigh, a bruise on her nose, and a swelling on the top of her head, and another above her ear.

The stick and hat of a Mr. D. B. McDonnell, the Deputy-Registrar, were found in the house and the surgeon stated that the blows might have been inflicted with such an instrument as the stick. The landlord of the British Hotel stated, that Mr. McDonnell left his house " tight," about half-past 11 o'clock on the night of the 14th. McOonnell states that he called at the woman's house who brought him out a light for his pipe, that his hat blew off, and he lost his stick in searching for his hat. The inquest, if correctly reported, does not appear very conclusive of the implied guilt of McConnell. It does not appear that anything was elicited as to the time at wh."rk he returned to his own house after having lost his stick and hat. The body w.i:i first discovered at 8 a.m., and according to one of the witnesses when found, " was quite hot under the arms." McConnell appears to have returned home at night some hours previously to this time, indeed it turns out in evidence that he had instructed his own servant girl in the morning to go up to deceased's house and look for his hat and stick, a thing he would scarcely have done had he known himself guilty of the deed. The jury, after an hour's deliberation, returned the following verdict: —

"That Caliharina Farrar met her death by extravasation of blood on the brain, caused by a blow or blows; and that strong suspicion pointed to David Bennett M'Connell as implicated in the death of the deceased."

M'Connell was then committed on the Coroner's warrant, charged with wilful murder. The General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand met again yesterday, and the following resolutions, as brought up by a committee, were adopted unanimously:—" The General Assembly record the unanimous expression of their regret at the failure of the negotiations entered into with a view to union with the Presbytery of Otago. The Assembly, while they will rejoice in co-operation with all Evangelical Christian Churches, will have especial satisfaction in co-operating with their brethren iu Otago, in promoting the general cause of the Presbyterian Church throughout New Zealand. The Assembly will rejoice when the way shall, in God's Providence, be opened up for a complete union between this Church and the Synod of Otago and Southland." A good deal of other business was transacted; and it is expected that the session will be concluded to-day.— Times, Nov. 24. Fibe in Staffobd-stbeet.— This morning, about a quarter to 2 o'clock, a fire broke out in a cottage in Stafford-street, in the occupation of the family of Mr. C. G Smith, architect, Mr. Smith himself being at Hokitika. The fire appears to have broken out at the back of Mr. Smith's house, and in consequence time was given for the removal of part of the furniture. The house and furniture was insured to the amount of £225 with the Otago Fire and Marine Insurance Company. As soon as the members of the Fire Brigade had assembled, they used every exertion, assisted by several citizens, to preveat the fire from extending ; and, having done this, they did not leave until all the furniture of the adjoining houses had been safely replaced.— Times, Nov. 25.