THE CHARGE AGAINST DR ORPEN. Auckland, January 6.

Otago Witness, Issue 2289, 13 January 1898, Page 37

THE CHARGE AGAINST DR ORPEN. Auckland, January 6.

The question of taking steps to secare fche arrest of Dr Orpen in connection with the death of Susan M'C*llum has been under the consideration of the Minister for Justice (the Hon. T. Thompson), who has consulted with the Premier and tha Police CommUsioner (Mr Tunbridge) on the subject, with the result that an application for Dr Orpen'a extradition will be made through the Imperial Government to the United States in case he should arrive in San Francisco by the Alameda. Although the coroner's jury returned a verdict of manslaughter only, a warrant for murder has been issued, fche offence with which Dr Orpsn is accused coming, ifc is contended, witfaia tha definition of fchab crime in fche Criminal Code Act. Ifc is understood a question was raised by the commissioner whether there was any probability of a charge of murder being sustained even it Dr Orpen's extradition were obtained. Ifc was also pointed out that when tha New South Wales Government; extradited Batler the cost; was £8000. The Premier and Minister for Justice, however, were oE opinion that no question of coab should interfere in the administration of justice, and that extradition should be applied for ia the ordinary way. There is, of courso, a probability that accused will leave the Alameda either at Samoa or Honolulu, in which event the present proceed^ ings will have no effect.

The Wellington Single Tax Society are urg« ing tho City Council to bring the Bating on Unimproved Values Act into force in Wefiiog* ton. "How do you come to ba celebrating youß golden wedding, BiaktF You've only been married three years." " I know," said Biuks $ " bub my wife and I thought We'd batter hurt it now when we really need the gold**