THE NARBETHONG MURDER.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 7425, 29 May 1891, Page 3

THE NARBETHONG MURDER.

The Prisoner's Sanity Questioned-

Melbottksb, May 19. The murder of Mr Davis and his wife at Harbethong was from the first surrounded by incidents that were remarkable, and although it was thought, when Wm. Colston confessed to the crime, that any further proceedings in connection with it would be but commonplace, the latest developments of the case have fully maintained tho extraordinary character first established. Since Colston was captured at Yarraglen, after his week of seclusion in and around Narbethong, his behaviour has been such as to raise grave doubts as to his sanity, and consequently he has been closely watched and studied by brain specialists and medical gentlemen in tho city. Their impressions have led to the postponement of the trial nntil the June sittings of the Criminal Court, and it is possible, if not probable, that the Governor will be moved to appoint iv special Board of Inquiry. In the meantime, up to the present six medical gentlemen have privately considered the case, and though they appear to unanimously favor a postponement of the trial in order to permit of a still deeper investigation, their opinions as to Colston's present mental state differ. Several assert their opinion that Colston is Buffering from progressive general paralysis of the brain, and point to the fact that ho appears utterly incapable of comprehending what his act of murder really means as strong confirmation of their opinion. Others are less positive, and only go bo far as saying that there appears to be failure, sufficient grounds for delaying the trial in order that Colston may be more closely studied. Lastly, one cays that ho believes Colston to be legally sane, inferring that though the prisoner may not be thoroughly found in mind, he at least understood what the effect of his deed would be. It is urged that there is a room for a board of specialists to act in this case. — Pres3 correspondent. The Hon. the Premier leaves by mid-day (rain to-morrow for Wellington. The Dobson-Konnedy Company have arranged the dates for their Napier season from 22nd to 27th Juna inclusive. The carcaso of a bullock is lying in the river opposite the Hospital ; tho stench from the defunct is highly offensive. Tho Rev A. O. Williams has been called to TuraMna for Sunday and consequently will be unable to conduct service at Waitotara on Sunda y evening. The oross-country horses, Takapu (in charge of George Hope) and Ival (in charge of J. Hickey), left by train to-day for the north. H. Pell, is to have the mount on Takapu, and he, together with a number of racing men including Mr Frank Hill, also left by the same train for the purpose of being present at the Great Northern Steeplechase meeting on Wednesday next

The repovt that tho nnsoundncßS of tho Tasmanian apples landed at San Francisco from the Monowai it as due to their having been stowed alongside the boiler is stated to h« incorrect, aa the bolda in which the fruit waa stowed are separated from the boilers by a coal bunker. The fruit which camo from Hobart, it is alleged, was badly packed. The apples and oniona shipped at Auckland were landed in excellent order.

Considerable interest i 3 centred amongst footballers generally in tho first senior cup match o£ the season, which takes place tomorrow between tho TiiraKina and Kaierau olub3, on the forinor's ground. The names of the players taking part are published elsewhere, and the attendance of spectators should be a large one. According to form during the present season, Turakina should win. In the practice matches played this season, Wnnganui boat Kaierau by 2 points, and' Turakina beat Wauganui by B points to 2, whilst they also cjef eatecj the Pavikino3 by 10 to 5, and the Bulltown by 23—0, although they suffered defeated by the latter club iv the beginning of the season by 1 point to nil. Kaioraus, honever, should boat Turnkins to-morrow, us the latter are not likely to put a very strong team in the field on neeount of the captain, W. Glasgow, and J. Keano being unablo to play thiough injuried received whilst playing against Parikino, and H. Clark iq not suiliciontly recovered from his recent accident to play aa yet.

Tho Labour party have taken a new departure in Auckland. A petition from tho mechanics and labourers of Auckland to the city Licensing Committees asking them to consider the unfit state of eleven licensed houses in the city is being signed. Thoy ask tho commissioners to inspect theso houses and inßist on their reinstatement, pointing out tho manifest injustice the existenco of these houses is to those who had been compelled to orect costly structures.

The results of the Prizo Medal Firing Competition, published in another column, will be perused with keen interest by our volunteers, who will unite with us in congratulating Private J. Andcsson, of tho Wanganui Rifles, iv having won the gold medal granted by Government for tho best shot in the North Island, bosides having the honour of scoring the highest number of points of any of the competitors in both islands. Pmato W. Churton, also of the Wanganui Rifles, is to bo complimented in having appropriated tho silver medul for the best shot in the district, both victories being creditable to the crack corps to which the marksmen bolong, and still further enhancing the enviable rpputntion Wanganui has gained for possessing somo of the best shot 3in the colony.

During the search practice last evening by members of the Fire Brigade, many of tho fire plugs were found to be in a very bad state of repair, some of them being covered up, others being filled with sticks nnd gravel, and in somo cases tho lids hod been taken away. The amount of labour involved in plncing tho plugs in working order may be gauged by the fact that tho work was not finished until eleven o'clock. Parents of guardians should warn children against the practice of meddling or tamponng in any way with the plugs, for in ease of omergency, serious damage would undoubtedly ensue should il be found that thoy have been rendered unworkable through mischiofousness and pure wantonness.

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T. J. Bi