Agrarian Assault and Suicide.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XIX, Issue 6291, 11 February 1892, Page 2

Agrarian Assault and Suicide.

On Sunday (says the Wanganui Chronicle) Sergt. -Major Anderson received a telegram from Hawera stating that James Kearin, who was charged on warrant with assaulting Mr James Wybourne, at Mania, was yesterday found drowned in a dam near his own house. It will be remembered that Kearin assaulted Mr Wybourne a week ago with a heavy stick, beating him \mtil he was on the point of becoming unconscious. On enquiry, it turned out that Mr Wybourne had just bought from deceased the farm the latter lived on. Kearin, it appeared, was very much annoyed with Wybourne, whom he accused of ha^nj given a valueless cheque and of trying to swindle him out of his farm. The deceased disappeared on Sunday ni«jht after the outrage, leaving two letters, one addressed to his wife and another to his brother. Botli letters stated that the writer was in mental distress from having parted with his property and [that he intended to commit suicide. The letter to his wife added that there were £375 in the Bank, and that she was to draw the money by cheque, which he enclosed. He also mentioned further sums due to him and concluded with an affectionate farewell. Both letters were dated January 30th, the day before the assault was committed. Kearin was a big man h'ft 3in in height and broad in proportion. Search parties were looking for him all lust woek, and yesterday his body was found as above. Mr Wybourne was badly injured by Kearin. His skull was laid bare in several places, and his recovery must be a matter of considerable time.

The Bteeplchaser Sentinel was seriously injured by a five on the W.*ikato traiu