A BELGIAN SCANDAL IN COURT.

Te Aroha News, Volume IV, Issue 159, 3 July 1886, Page 4

A BELGIAN SCANDAL IN COURT.

Brussels, June 1.— A m j2ause\celcbre, which excites the deepest interest in Belgian political and social circles, began yesterday before the Brahant Court of Assizes. The accused was Leon Van DermiBsen, an able barrister and a Provincial Counsellor Deputy sitting in the House of Representatives for Brussels, who stood charged with the wilful murder of his wife under dramatic circumstances. Mme. Van Dersmiseen, who, under her maiden name of Cecile Kevaud, was once well known at Brussels as an opera singer, had been 'suspected by her husband of carrying on an intrigue with Viscount Dupleix de Cadigan, a French nobleman, who, a few months ago, was sentenced to two years and three months imprisonment by the Belgian authorities for swindling and forgery. The motive for the murder was jealousy. The accused admitted the crime and told" the circumstances attending the killing. An acquittal or light punishment is expected. The intiigue of the wife was well-known.

BEACH IN LONDON. Beach, the Australian sculler, arrived in London, May 17th, in robust health. Ho is accompanied by his trainer, Kempe, and his manager and backer, Dobbie. In an interview Beach said he had as yet arranged no engagements, but had come to England to row anyone willing to accept his challenge. He did not intend to practice much for a month or so. His weight ho said' was 2001b, having increased 141b on the voyage. His rowing weight is 16Slb, to which ho can quickly reduce himself if necessary. He will shortly challenge the world to a race for $2,000, and will row for nothing lees. Speaking of Hanlan, he said, "Hanlan is a very fair oarsman. If he domes' that he was beaten fairly and treated cordially in Australia, he tells a falsehood.

He was unable to appreciate the kindness of the colonists, who gave him' $250, which he did not even thank them for. I am not' in the least afraid to row Hanlan, but I'i shall not go to America unless he first comes to England, nor will I offer him special advantages if ho decides to come here. During the voyage the captain, noticing my in-' crease in flesh, offered me the privilege of working in the stoke house four hours daily, to keep down my weight." Beach refuses to compete in any race in America. The Cambridge University crew also decline the challenge issued to them by the Harvard University crew for an international boat race. A despatch of May 20 in says Beach has accepted a challenge from Hanlan to row on the Thames. Hanlan will leave for England in July.