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New Zealand Mail, Issue 1211, 17 May 1895, Page 11

A horrible murder is reported from one of the Fijian districts. An Indian coolie killed his wife, her .head being almost severed from the body. Her spine was broken, and there was a big gash three inches wide from the left lower jaw, which was broken, round the back of the neck ? also two deep scalp wounds and several deep cuts on both arms. The murder is stated to have been perpetrated by a free coolie named Beni. The reason for the deed is said to have been jealousy. The small settlers along the course of the Waitalri River, which forms the boundary between the districts of Canterbury and Otago, have been concerned of late at the proposal of the Lands . Department to lease the islands in the river, so as to ensure the keeping down of the rabbits with which they are infested. The settlers have been in the habit for years past of running their catUe on these islands, and they do not, therefore, like the prospect of losing the pasturage and of being put to the cost of fencing. They would be prepared to pay a moderate rental for the islands rather than face this contingency, and -would most probably also undertake to keep the rabbits in check. At any rate representations have been made to the Government on their behalf by the Hon Major Steward, M.H.R., and Mr Thomas Duncan, M.K.R., and in the meantime the islands have been withdrawn to enable some satisfactory arrangement to be made with the settlers in respect of them.