MURDEROUS ASSAULT ON A WIFE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume V, Issue 1314, 1 February 1868, Page 5

MURDEROUS ASSAULT ON A WIFE.

A. most murderous and cowardly assault was yesterdiiy committed upon a poor woman named Cuthorino Campbell, «t Parnoll, by her husband. It would Bppour that the latter, name is Joseph Campbell, uline Hutchins, loft his master's ■,-hop—Mr. Dent's, saddler—yesterday, when ho was dressed in a white coat and peak cap. Hβ leturnad at about half-past one o'clock in a Tery fcicitod state, having on a velvet shooting coat, with two white patches on tha elbows, und a bluck wide-a-wake hat. Mr. Dent then observed some blood on tho man's waistcoat, but his suspicions were not aroused, an ho thought ho had been fiahing, as was hie custom. The man loft immediately, and Mr. Bent heard nothing more about him until after the occurrence of tho following facts. At about two o'clock yosturday afternoon a meseenger came in groat hasto to the police, and reported that their assistance Vtae urgently required at Parnell. Mr. Naughton at once proceeded to tho place indicated, accompanied by two constables. fie found Dr. Goldsboro in tho act of dressing Mrs. Campbell's wounds, and having inquired tho cirenmatancos of tho ca*o and seen the sufl'erer safely removed to the hospital, he returned to town. Shortly aftorwards, however, a second messenger inforiuoJ the Commissioner that tho poor woman was in such a dangerous condition that eeriouH apprehensions were felt for her life. Mr. Naughton proceeded to the hospital and took her depositions, in which eho staled that at a little before two •'clock she was out putting clothea on a lino, whnn she saw hor hueband, Joseph Campbell, coming toward the houEO, and having only a few days previous'y hud him bound ovor to keep tho peace towards her, and fearing hie revenge, ehe ran into the house. Bhe had got inside when hr.r brutal husband pursued her, nnd on entering, o]o<ed the door. Ho then seizod her round tho wiiiat, threw her down, and whilo eho was in that position, proceeded in tho most barbarous manner to etab hf>r on the heid, legs, and in tho abdomen. In the struggle tho poor woman's hands were terribly cut with the knife. She screamed for aa'istanco, but un'ortunately was not heard, and j tho wretch having perpetrated hie cruelty went out and was observed by a woman who livos near to jump over a fence. Tho unuauul character of this occurrence, and tho man's hasto to get away, aroused tho woman's fears and she ran over to tho houao, whoro she found Mrs. Campbell bathed in blood, senseless and etabbed in nearly ft ecorc places, whilo tho floor was almost covered with blood also. She immediately sent for the police, and obtained surgical aid. Joseph Campbell was discharged from Mount Eden gaol in Decomber last, on the expiration of a sentence of nine months' for stealing whips. About tlireo weeks ago, hie wife, drealinjf bin violenco and threat?, got him bound ovor to koep the peace f"r three months. On that occasion hie emj'loyer, Mr. Dent, went bail foi him. It is said that he formerly belonged to the Wnikftto Militia, and was stationed at To Awamutu. After leaving tho Militia bo is eaid to havo livod for some time al Onehunga. where he stole the whips, and later he has been engaged in hawking. Ho has not been heard of finco. Mr. Dent ln.st saw him, but the police aro in active pursuit, 'iho unfortunate woman lies in a very pre.~nrious condition. Tho following descript'oii of the man in furnishocl by tho police: — John IJutchine, alias Joseph Campbell, 5 foot 4 inches high, nee 40 to 45, dark brown hair mixed with groy, hlightly pockpitted in face, his a fitoop, thin hair in front, speaks rather through hie nose, hharp features.