A SAD STORY.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2122, 13 February 1886, Page 1 (Supplement)

A SAD STORY.

In reference to the sad and distressing case of Sarah Williams, that occurred recently iv Melbourne, the Argus of Jan. 14 says :— An Executive Council meeting was held yesterday, at which the case was considered. The woman threw her child into the Yarra river, where it waa ■i» owned, aud she whs sentenced to death for its murder, but the sentence wm ■ espitcd a fortnight ago by the Executive Council, and further action in reference to her case was deferred until certain enquiries had been matic. Tho Executive Council yesterday recei\ ed a report from the Police Department concerning Mra Williams. It was to the effect that she was an imlustrious respectable woman, but somewhat irritable in nature ; that she was the mother of a number of children ; and that some years ago her hutjdind was very intemperate ; but that he became a total abstainer, and bad continued so for five or six years. On the .lay the murder was committed she met him near the Yarra, aud noticing that he had again been drinking, she became very much excited. Stie was also in a 'lehcate sUte of health at the time, and u was supposed that the two circumstances uained temporarily overcame her reason, and led her to commit the act of which she had been convicted. The Executive Council decided that the punishment to be inflicted on her ahould be two years' imprisonment.

A DnciiEhS— yes, a real live Duchess — was passing through the Burlington Arcade, London. Seeing a bonnet in a shop, she stopped to look at it, like an ordinary mortal of the female Bex. To her side came a prowler, and aaked her whether she admired the bonnet? Yea, dhe did. Would she like to have it ! Yes, she would. Might he buy it fot her? Yes, he might. So they went in. The bonnet was bought and paid for. " Where shall it be sent to?" atiked the prowler. *'To my house." "What is your address ?'• The Duchess gave it and her name. The prowler vanished, but the bonnet was sent to the Duchew by the shopman. This is a thoroughly set* IiVU way of toting these poets.