ATROCIOUS MURDER IN CANTERBURY.

Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 580, 13 November 1869, Page 2

ATROCIOUS MURDER IN CANTERBURY.

THE MELBOURNE SPRING MEETING-. RACE FOR THE CUP. CONTRADICTORY REPORTS OF THE RESULT. MANUKA SCEATCHED. (BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH..) (fEOH OUR OWX COEBESPONDENT.) Cheistchtjech, Friday. Smyth, of the Railway Hotel, Lyttelton, has been committed for trial before the Supreme Court, for murdering his wife in a brutal manner by tying her with ropes, gagging her, and keeping his foot on her throat while she was lying on the floor. The woman's wrists and feet were cut by the ropes, and a large stick was found in her bedroom, covered with blood and hair. The cause of the murder seems to have been the fact of the deceased having been given to drink. The revelations, and Smyth's arrest, have naturally been the cause of great excitement in Lyttelton. Bltjff, Thursday. The s.s. Omeo arrived last night. Unfortunately the news she brings as to the result of the race for the Melbourne Cup is contradictory. She left on the day of the race—the 4th inst. —and, when she was passing through Port Philip Heads, the following telegram was received by Capt. Calder from the owners of the vessel, Messrs M'Meckan, Blackwood, and Co.:— " The Cup Race.—Warrior first. Monk second. Phoebe third. Manuka scratched." The following telegram, giviug a different version of the result, was received by Mr Nichols, a passenger on board the Omeo : " Send letter to Ota/jo Daily Times. The Cup winner is Phoebe. Monk second. Warrior third. Forward account by post. " S. W. Yeney, " 11 Neaves Buildings, " Melbourne." Your readers must explain this discrepancy as they best can. (from tee west coast times office.) Hokjtika, Thursday. The accounts we have received are contradictory as to Warrior and Phcebe. As soon as anything definite is to hand we shall send it.

Wellington, Tuesday. Heterika, Eewi, and Matene, three East Coast prisoners under sentence of death, have been commuted to imprisonment for life. The prisoners Hamitora and Pera have been left for execution. The steamer Eagle, from Sydney, which left that port on the 30th ult., arrived to-day, with a full cargo for this port and Dunedin. She brings news from Melbourne to the 29th October. Sydney, Oct. 30. The Junee reef, at G-renfell, yielded IGOoz of gold to 130 tons of quartz. Bond, the sticker-up of the Gympie coach, has been sentenced to 20 years imprisonment, and to be whipped twice. Melbourne, Oct. 29. Private letters state that the engagement with the English cricketers was broken off at the last moment. The Hospital Committee exonerate Dr Barker. The payment of members bill has passed the Assembly, and been forwarded to the Council. _ Mr Higinbotham has tabled a motion against the proposed colonial conference in London. Lord G-renville, in a despatch, states that he considered the appointment of colonial representatives, as proposed by the London committee, unnecessary. The second reading of the State Aid Abolition Bill has been carried. The Navigation Board has suspended Captain Kerr's certificate for six months for not using the lead aboard the Victoria Tower, which was recently wrecked.

Herr Bandimann, while playing lago, gave Mrs Steel a flesh wound with his sword, which caused great excitement. The Melbourne Banking Companyhas declared a dividend of ten per cent. The wool sales were well attended. Fleece, 1M to 15 £d; a small lot of beautiful scoured Murrimbidgee, 23Jd. .Closed at full rates. The Underwriters' Association require higher premiums for New Zealand flax as dangerous cargo. In his gallops on the 23th, Manuka appeared to go indifferently, which

materially reduced his price in the betting for the Melbourne Cup. Traverton and Detective ran well. The latest betting on the Derby is 5 to 4 on Charon. Circassian and Strop are freely backed, for the Cup. Coquette, Warrior, and Traverton have been scratched for the Hotham Handicap. Phoebe ia regarded favorably. The Fly has been scratched for the Cup. Bradshaw, bailiff at Annidale, has committed suicide. Adelaide, Oct 29. The compromise money in the Moonta Mine case, £SOOO, has been paid. The proceedings cost the company £16,000. The Meat Preserving Company has opened some of their first tins. The result is satisfactory. Wheat sold at ss" Bd. The market is easier. The Assembly commenced a reduction in the Estimates by striking off £IOO from the salaries of the President of the Council and Speaker of the Assembly. Four hundred policy holders of the European Insurance Company want to hold a meeting to consider the steps to be taken tor their protection. None of the Company's Australian agents have received any advices or telegrams. Oct. 28. Three new reefs have been discovered at Waterhouse.