CONFESSIONS OF A STUDENT.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 3156, 15 May 1883, Page 3

CONFESSIONS OF A STUDENT.

The representative of an, Auckland paper lately interviewed [Priestly, the theological stqdent,who, along with ,Mrs Hamilton, was recently tried for the murder of the latter’s husband. la the course of a very long story he complains that the police did not caution him at the time of his arrest, and also that, while in gaol, an endeavor was made to entrap him into making written statements which might furnish evidence against him.. He then denies that he had ever been improperly intimate with Mrs Hamilton, and adds: I certainly was very friendly with her, but was onlyyes, yon are right, it was a sort of platonic friendship. I saw then no harm in it. To the pure all things are pnre. But now, looking at it from a worldly point of view, I see how jealous neighbors might and did magnify it into harm. With regard to the question, “ Why did I try to give a false address to where I slept on the night of Hamilton’s death?” it was in this way; that evening I called to see the L g. I found them all in a heavy drinking mood. I tried to persuade them out of it, and t stayed till very late in order that perhaps my presence might in some way influence them, and so I stayed all night. The next day when I thought over the matter it came into my mind, “What will the people of the church think if they ever hear that I spent the night with each a drunken, dissolute lot, and many of my respectable friends would condemn tne for staying in such a disreputable place ; so I was tempted to ask' Mis Horn to say I slept at her place on that night. I cannot give any definite theory as to what caused poor Hamilton’s death, although 1 feel convinced that Mrs Hamilton knew all the particulars. 1 was rather surprised to bear that Mrs Hamilton had gone over to Sydney, and in her maiden name too. No, 1 shall not join her, as you say is rumored. I hope I may never look on her face again. I have suffered deep mental misery enough pn her account. I shall try to pnt a long distance between us as soon as I can. I shall not go into the ministry again—that trial might then be often thrown in my face. Yes, Ido believe that some day the truth of the mystery will be known. Mrs Hamilton is very strong willed, but perhaps when the cold hand of death is laid upon her she will fear to go into the presence of her Maker with any load on her conscience, and she may confess the dread secret if she knows it. Bat God help her, for she mast have a miserable time of it if so? Will 1 take another glass of sherry ? Thanks, I will, «nd with yonr permission I will light my pipe. I have only lately taken to smoking. We all do it in the bush, yon know/’

A telegram received from Gisborne states that the boring at the South) Pacific Company’s Petroleum Works has been sunk to a depth of 120 ft., and is still going through papa rock. Oaring to severe illness, Judge Ward has obtained two months’ leave of absence, which he will spend in the North Island. Daring his absence his circuits will be filled by Acting District Judge Harvey, t