THE PRISONER CONFESSES.

Otago Witness, Issue 2253, 6 May 1897, Page 20

THE PRISONER CONFESSES.

Christchurch, April 30.

The inquest on tho victim of the Amberley tragedy took place to-day. After formal evidence had been taken as to identification, &c, Constable Johnston stated that the man in ustody had made a statement that his correct name was William Sheehan, and had gone on to say :—: —

" I met the girl on tbe road yesterday. In a fit of passion I assaulted her and murdered her. I meb her iv the plantation about dinner time, knocked her down with a stick, and covered her with gorse and went away. I killed her with the kaife found on me. There was no blood on the knife, and I got none on myself . I don't know what made me do it. I never saw her before. I make this statement of my own free will. No one pressed me to make the statement.

" (Signed) William S?heehan." Sheehan was calm and collected when making the statement.

Tho jury returned a verdict of "Wilful murder" against Hugh Fraser alias William Sheehnu.

Sheehan, alias Fraser, was brought down from Amberley last night and conve3 r ed to Lyttelton Gaol. Large numbers ot people were at the stations along the line to gain a glimpse of him, but there wero no unusual demonstrations except at Lyttelton, where a crowd of 500 had assembled. The police and the prisoner were hustled on their way to the gaol, aud the latter was greeted with a fire of hisses and groan.

When arrested the prisoner wore a h^fc which was too large for him, and inside the liniug was found a copy of a newspaper containing an account of the Petonp murders.

Sheehan states that he is the son of a boot* maker in Wellington, where he was born, and that his mother died before ha was old enough to remember her. He says that he lett his home 10 or 11 years ago, and had been roaming the country ever sines.

Complaint was received by the police some days ago that a tenfc and two pairs of trousers had bean stolen from Yaldhurst, aud tho accused was suspected of the robbery, as he answered the description of a man who was seen about the premises from which the things were missed. When arrested he was using tho missing tent as a bed-covering, and one of the pairs of trousers which had been stolen was found in his swsg. Another complaint wub made that a man answering to the prisoner's description had assaulted a married woman ab Shand's Track on April 15, and tbe woman, who was in court at Amberley yesterday, identifier! the accused as the man who had committed the assault.

Accused has been traced as having tramped from Shand's Track to Springfield, and thence to Oxford, and crossing the Ashley he made his way along the Mount Grey Downs to Amberley.

The funeral of Agnes Lawcock, murdered at Amberley, look place at Balcairn Cemetery on Saturday afternoon, and was attended by nearly all the residents of the" district. The service was conducted by the Revs. Eapley and Dellow. A very large number of wreaths and flowers were sent by sympathisers.

Rerfion, April 30.

So far as can be ascertained ; here is no assurance tbafc Fraser, arrested at Anibsrley for the murder of Miss Lawcock, ,was a resident here, though several are almost certain that a man answering the description was in the district about a year ago. If he was a native of J&eeFton the name given was almost certainly fictitious. The police are inquiring into the. matier.

"Wellington, May -3.

The name of the Amberley miird-jrer's father, if he is the bootmaker in this district, is Sheen. The latter says his son was always characterised by want of mental equilibrium. When aboub 12 years of age be was eommittod to the Nelson Industrial School, from which he ran away, but shortly aiterwards was recommitted, having in the interim been arrested for breaking and entering. Subsequently he ran away several times from the school, and lattarly bas been, lost sight of completely by his relatives. His grandfather and his mother were both deficient in mental balance. His in other left her home in a strange snd unexpected manner when her son was between 12 and 14 years of age. Instead of being dead, as her son states, she is said to be alive and living in Perth, Western Australia Accused's father bas been a resident of the Wellington district for over 30 years, and for a considerable time was in business in Wellington an a land and commission agent. Other members of his family are married and in good positions, and both he and they feel their position keenly.

William Sheehan, who ha? confessed to the murder, is quite ayoung-lootiDg man, and gives his age as 20. He is about sft lliu in height, with longUh arms and legi. He stoops sJightly when walking, and his chest is somewhat contracted. He is fair, and has a very flight moustache and whiskers. His neck is very much swollen from goitre. His mouth is largo and drooping, with'rather thick lipr. Hs has small blue, furtive-looking eyes, with which he appeared to watch every movement. His nosa is large, as are also his ears, which stand out prominently. He appeared to be quite unconcerned, and apparently did not seem to understaud his position. Coming down in the train he smoked cigarettes and chatted with his guards, and he did not take the slightest notice of the crowds which had gathered at the various stations anxious to get a glimpse of him. Just after leaving Kaiapoi he asked for the evening papers which contained an account of the inquest upon Miss Lawcock. Upon this request being refused, he became sullen, and sfildom spoke for the remainder of the journey. Upon meeting a hostile reception at s-; f;elton be, for the first time, showed alarm, and he w»s trembling violently when his handcuffs were removed in the gaol. During the. time ho was in the lock-up at Amberley he was never left, and appeared very much troubled until after he had made his contession, after which he became apparently calm, and slept fairly well during the night which followed.

A regulation recently issued by the Marine department provides tbat civil servant", their wivea, and families, and memberß of Parliament may travel on the Government steamers for 7s 6d per day each on short trips and 10a on longer ones. Contractors will be taken to the West Coast sounds at 7s 6d. Other travellers will have to pay the same rates as on passenger steamers.

It is stated that a morning paper in the Opposition interest will shortly be started in Wellington under the name of the Daily Argu3. Several well-known Hawke's Bay settlers are interested in it. The issue of the recent meetings of the New Zealand Times shareholders is that arrangements have been made to supply new capital to the extent of nearly £10,000, and Mr R. Bannister, for many years in the commercial department of the EveniDg Post, becomes general manager,,