AUSTRALIAN NEWS

South Canterbury Times, Issue 5013, 22 May 1889, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN NEWS

(By Telegraph from the Bluff) Melbourne, May 14. A large nugget weighing about 300 oz, and worth considerably over £IOOO, was discovered at Wedderburn, in this colony, in the alluvial at a place known as Hughes’ Dam, ’Possum Point, near the township. The lucky finder is an Austrian named Costa Clovich. The nugget was on view at the meeting of the Eorongshire Council, and was subsequently lodged at the Bank of Australasia. It weighs 3360 z, and is valued at £1360. It was found by a young single man who recently arrived from Austria. The discovery has created quite a furore of excitement in the township, as the lead appears to bo a distinct one, and is likely to be traced from the vicinity of the old workings in entirely new ground, which has been pegged off for a long distance.

Last Thursday Walter Brooks, a commission agent, attempted to murder Mrs Matilda Thomson, a married woman, and failing to do so he shot himself in the head. Mrs Thomson had kept house for him. He was an insurance agent, but haring lost his position through drink, he was unable to afford to keep a housekeeper, and Mrs Thomsen went to live with deceased’s grown-up sons. Brooks went to the house this morning, and fired two shots through the keyhole of the door. Ho then entered by the back and found Mrs Thomson alone. Ho forced her on the floor, and said, “ 1 am going to blow your brains out first, and then shoot myself.” The landlady, attracted by the shots, knocked at the door. Brooks told Mrs Thomson to answer and say that all was right. Under that pretext she managed to open the door and escape. A shot was then heard in the house. The police, having entered the place, found Brooks lying across a bed quite dead, having been shot through the mouth. In one hand there was a revolver, while in the other he held a letter detailing his relations with the woman, and his determination to commit murder and suicide. He asserted that he loved the woman better than his soul, and prayed God to help him to complete the murder and suicide. Be said ho was married to her in the sight of God, but she denies there were improper relations between them.

Sydney, May 13. In connection with the case of Ernest Buttnor, who has been sentenced to death for a criminal assault on Jessie Lennox, the Sydney police have been in communication with the Commissioner of Police in Brisbane with reference to the career of that woman in that city. Enquiries made show that she arrived in Queensland about twoyears ago and used to consort with persons of known bad character. At one time she was employed at a confectioner’s shop in George street, and afterwards lived with a man as his wife. She was subsequently charged at the Police Court with passing a bad £lO note on a Chinaman, and on medical examination was found to be insane and sent to Moogearoo. She was released about the middle of March last, whoa she went to Sydney. Iheso facts have been communicated to the Chief Secretary of New South Wales. Mr Eick, M.L.A., who is interesting himself in the case of Ernest Buttner, has received a letter purporting to be signed by the victim of the supposed assault, asking bin to use his influence to get the execution of Buttner stayed. The letter states —“ After considering the matter well over I am afraid I gave some encouragement, and my conduct may have been a little eccentric, having only been out a short time from the Lunatic Asylum. I had not felt well fop a few days previously, and I believe I must have had a (temporary relapse of my old enemy at the time, and on (thenjght in question.” Buttner’s execution has been fixed for the 28tb inst., but bis ease will now be further considered by the Executive, [Wo have learned by cable that the sentence has been commuted in this case.]