FINDING OF THE BODY OF MR. DOBSON AT THE GREY.

Wellington Independent, Volume XXI, Issue 2388, 14 July 1866, Page 8

FINDING OF THE BODY OF MR. DOBSON AT THE GREY.

The s.s. Wanganui arrived in harbor last night from Taranaki, Wanganui, and Nelson. She brings no later news from Wanganui, but wo have Nelson intelligence to the 10th instant.

The Nelson Colonist of the 10th instant says : — " Wo have learned that from information imparted by Sullivan, the police authorities on Sunday last, sent a messenger up tho Maungatapu, to the camping place at the stonc-chimnoy about half-way up the mountain and fully two miles from its base. At this chimney tho murderers halted on the evening of the fatal Wednesday, after they had killed and robbed tho men ; here they divided the gold and notes they had stolen, and here they mado tea and refreshed themselves after their murderous labors and thoir mountainous journey. By precise directions from Sullivan, Mr. Shallcrase, near this place, and about fifteen or eighteen yards on the right sido of the road, found buried in the ground, a brass-bound leather courier-bag, three purses and two chamois leather gold-bags. The courier-bag has been identified by Mrs. Mathieu, as the property of Mr. Kempthorno, and one of the gold-bags she has recognised as having belonged to her husband, and as being in his possession.

But the most shocking part of Sullivan's confession, which we only learned late last night, is the number of murders that have been committed by this infernal sot. Sullivan has acknowledged that more than twenty men have been murdered on the West Coast, and robbed and buried by tho crow to which lie belongs. Ho can certify to more than twenty, but how rnnuy more it appears ho cannon say ; for ho cannot remember the exact number! The blood runs cold at this confession of sanguinary deeds. A number of living souls, mon bearing tho inuigo of their Maker, considerably over twenty, of which number the approver is certain, were sent to their long homes by the greed of practised murderers, and yet, their lives arc of so small amount in tho oyesof these wretches, that they cannot reckon up tho dreadful total. An Indian keeps tally by counting the scalps ; but this gang of atrocious demons cannot rcmembe. tho number of unoU'ending men they have killed in cold blood. The fact fills one with awe and horror, and ifc is with difficulty we can believe that it is possible. But such is tho confession of Sullivan.

The same prisoner has also stated that Levy, who had, (G-od help us !) conscientious scruples against shedding blood, (so had the Thugs) was the man who used tho rope, and strangled the mon whom it was Id's business to kill. Burgess and Kelly, says the same authority, had no such scruples. The}' employed the pistol or any other means that killed their man. Levy, wo understand has requested another interview with tho Hebron minister, but that gentleman has left town for the North.

Thofour accused will bo brought up to-day, when further eyidonco will bo adduced respecting the murder of the four Deep Creek men, and they will also be charged with the murder of James Battlo, the whalor.

DISCOVERY OP TUB BODY OF MB. DOBSON. The search after the romains of tho above unfortunate gentleman has at last been rewarded by success, and at noon yesterday tho body was unearthed and conveyed to Greymouth. This intelligence was brought to town by a constable who left Greymouth as soon as the discovery was made known, bearing a despatch, from the Inspector of j that district. No further details have reached us, and no description of the appearance of tho body, the inquest upon which will *not be held until Monday next, in order to afford timo to bring forward the necessary witnesses. — West Coast Times, July 7.

The reward of £500, offered by the Provincial G-overnmont to the soarch volunteers, for their labors in working for tho discovery of the bodies of the men murderedon the Mangatapau has been distributed amongst them.

PPRTHER ARRESTS,

Th c Nelson Examiner of the 7th inst. says : —

"On Wednesday night, a telegraphic communi-, tionwas received at the police-station, in this city, stating that three men, in addition to the bellringer Wilson, had been captured. The9e men, howovcr, although linked together with the band of murderers whose lives will probably ter-. ruinate in Nelson in a short time, are not, wo understand, supposed to have been guilty — at all events in Now Zealand— of a capital offence. Their crime is that of robbery ; and the latebank robbery at Okarita, so utterly mysterious in its occurrence, will probably, boforo long, be brought home to the chiof actors in it. The robbery of the firearms, pouches, bolts, and some articles of clothing, at the policee camp in Hokitika, is also to be traced to the same men.

" This latter robbery was committed in such an unheard-of daring manner, as to leave no doubt that those who were guilty of it were no ordinary thieves. * * * To what extent Sullivan's evidence can convict these men, it is impossible to say as yet. Through him, a man actually acting as one of the police force in Wesfcland, nnd two others whoso names as yet we are not at liberty to publish, have been apprehended.

DEMEANOUR OF THE PRISONERS. The Examiner adds : —

Since the four prisoners have been confined in tho gaol, as strongly secured as iron on thoir limbs and iron inside their cells can render them ; and since tho fact has become known to them that one of their number, has turned " Queen's evidence," a marked alteration has taken place in the men. Sullivan, it is said, shows signs of genuine contrition for tho parb he has taken in the affair. When placed in the dock some days since, he appeared entirely overcome with grief, which many supposed was merely displayed for effect. Since his removal to the gaol, at times ■when no one was supposed to be near or watchhing him, ho has been found sleepless and sorrowful. His fellow prisoners appear calm, although they must know the fate that awaits them. Silence is strictly enjoined on all of them, for we believe their language respecting Sullivan, and the abuse which was showered upon him, rendered it necessary to stop all conversation in the cells. Of the whole four, Burgess appears the most desperate, and seema also to have Bufferod least from the confinement and change of life. Kelly is coming day by day more emaciated, whilst Levy seems to bear the whole affair with a certain degree of nonchalance. Burgess, on being taken to the gaol, looked round with contempt on the building which was to contain him, asking, with scorn, whether " they thought ifc would hold him?" The precautions which have been taken, notwithstanding tho dangerous character of tho prisoners, will, we trust, be Biifficieut for tho purpose.