THE FATAL STABBING CASE IN OTAGO.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XII, Issue 4125, 2 February 1875, Page 3

THE FATAL STABBING CASE IN OTAGO.

[From tiie "Daily Times," January 25.] The residents of the North-East Valley were thrown intoa state of excitement 011 Saturday luornhig, when the faetof a man having been stabbed in the neighbourhood gained currency. Shortly before ten o'clock a messenger called at the King-street Police Station anil stated that a pig-breeder named Holmes Lad been murderously assaulted by a man with whom lie was working, and Inspector Mallard was at once despatched to the scene, which is on the left hand side of the Valley road, and about -i.">o yards from its junction with that of Port Chalmers. On arriving there, Drs. < Jarland anil Cole were found in attendance, and having, 011 inquiry, informed the Inspector that the wound was liigbly dangerons and likely to prove fatal, Holmes's evidence was taken, no Justice of the Peace being present at this time. He deposed as follows :— Thjs morning at eight o'clock, I, Amos James Holmes, was working at the hut with a man 1 know as Jack. Jle was swearing in consequence of some words he had with Mr. Curran last night. I knocked lijs hat off. Heat oneo took up a knife—a pig-killing knife—and stabbed ine in the left side. I would know him again. There was no one else present at the time. I believe I am dying, and make this declaration. It is the truth, and nothing but the truth. I know I shall never recover. The same man who was taken away by the constable is the man who stabbed me. The police soon ascertained by their inquiries the circumstances which led to the dastardly act. it appears that Holmes has been occupied of lato breeding and killing pigs, and employed a man named John Walter to assist him, the two of them having been working together for twelve months. On Saturday morning they both commenced to kill pigs about eight o'clock ; and after killing the first animal, Holmes, who was apparently in an ill humour, complained to Walter about the pigs having been allowed to trespass in an adjoining paddock (that of Mr. Curran's) on the previous night. This Walter denied, when Holmes threatened to put him in a barrel standing by, and knocked his hat off with his hand. The former thereupon picked up the knife he had been using, and struck Holmes with it in the side, making a transverse wound in a sloping direction, and perforating the lower lobe of the left lung, which causing internal hemorrhage, the doctor believes must result fatally. Mrs. Holmes and others, hearing tha wounded man's cries, rushed out, and received a great ihoek on seeing what had taken place. He was at once removed into the house, |>laced on a couch in the sitting-room, and efforts made to stop the bleeding, which was very profuse, and medical assistance sent for. When the constable readied the place, he found Walter at the back of the house, appareutly indifferent to what he had done, stripping a pig, and the constable arrested him without resistance, and conveyed him into town. Early in the afternoon, Mr. Fish, J.P., with .Mr. Street, clerk of the 11.M. Court, and Detective Bain proceeded to the place in a cab—Walter was then in custody. Dr. Garland was met on the road, anil he informed them that his patient was in such a dangerous condition that to attempt to take his depositions would probably hasten death. After Holmes had recovered a little, he was supported by his wife and brother, aud Walter being brought into the room, a conversation ensued as follows :—Holmes : 1 can see the blackguard.—Mr. Kisli : Can you see the man who stabbed you ?— llolmes : Oh. yes, I cau see him right enough. 11c lias been along with me these twelvemonths. He told me that it would be worse for me ; that lie would chop me with the axe ; but [ did not think lie meant it. He then struck me with the knife. — Walter : Jim, if you are dying, tell the truth. Von arc perjuring yourself, r„s you know.—Holmes: It is the truth; nothing but the truth. lam quite certain he did it. I think he Imd the knife in his hand all the time.—Walter : You know I was scratching the pig's leg.—Accused was then brought to town in custody of the police, and lodged in gaol. He will be formally charged at the President Magistrate's Court this morning, and remanded. — Dr. Cole called r.t the police-station about S o'clock last evening, and stated that llolmes was slightly better, and there was a possibility of his recovering. There appears to have been 110 motive for the commission of the crime, as it was evidently done uiuicr the influence of sudden passion. Last night the police were informed, on good authority, that there was little hope of Holmes recovering, llolmes has since died.