The Northern Daily Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1856-03-10 00:00:00

VAN DIEMEN'S LAND COMPANY.

The Van Diemen's Land Company have issued their
report, preparatory to their:yearly meeting on Thursday
next. The chief agent of the company having been absent
from the colony during the last 12 months, sales of land
have been suspended in order that he might, on resuming
his duties, carry out some fresh regulations. He returned
to the colony by the Royal Charter, from Liverpool, in
January last, and took with him new instructions. Mean-
while the evidence afforded of the rapid rise in the value
of the Government lands adjoining those of the company,
by the prices obtained when sales have taken place, gives
strong encouragement with regard to the prospects of
the entire district. In a recent instance the company had
to relet 300 acres of cleared land which had been pre-
viously occupied for four years at 1/ per acre, and it was
immediately taken for one year at an average of more
than 3/ per acre, The facilities of steam communioation
along the ooast continue to be maintained, and a prospect
exists of its being established between Circular-head and
Melbourne. With regard to the finances of the company,
there are not at present sufficient funds to pay a dividend
of lOs per share, but it is hoped such a distribution will be
made before the end of the year, the amount now in hand
is 3,3491.

REVOLTING MURDER

•

A case of murder, of the most revolting description has
just occurred in the little hamlet of Obsdale, near Alness,
parish of Rosskeen, Ross-shire. The victim, was a
humble, industrious old woman, named Margaret Munro,
unmarried, and sixty years of age. She subsisted by
working in the fields and other chance labour, and fro'a
her frugal habits was commonly believed to be possessed
of some money—perhaps ten or twelve pounds. She
lived in a miserable small bothy, but within about thirty
yards on each side were two cottages, one of them being
occupied by a married sister. On Saturday last the
deceased was out working at Delmore, and on her re-
turn in the evening she went to the village of Alness. to
make some small purchases of tea and other provisions.
Next day it was observed that no smoke had issued from
her chimney. Her sister entered the bothy, and found
the deceased in bed, apparently dead, and the bed clothes
saturated with blood. Alarm was given, and the police
constable repaired to the spot. The first impression was
that the old woman had committed suioide, but further
investigation showed the improbability of this conjecture,
and a regular examination into all the circumstances was
made next day by Mr. Taylor, Sheriff substitute. It would
appear that the old woman had gone to bed and appa-
rently fallen asleep, lying on her left side, with her face
to the wall. The murderer had found no difficulty in ob-
taining an entrance, for the only fastening to the door was
a block of wood rolled up against it. This had been
pushed aside. In the cottage was a short coarse knife,
the only one possessed by the deceased, and with this a.
wound had been inflicted on the front of the throat,
completely dividing the windpipe, but without severing'
the jugular vein or carotid artery. There had apparently
been no struggle, the bood having flowed out immediately
in front of the wound. There were marks on both arms
of the indentation of nails ; and the medical gentlemen
were of opinion that it was impossible the deceased could
herself have inflicted the injury. The knife lay about two
yards distant, and was covered with blood ; at the bottom
of the bed was found part of the blade of a knife,,
also stained with blood, but it was obvious that this
could not have been the instrument, and had only
been placed there to keep up an idea of suicide. On
searching the dark cottage, a few shillings and pen -e
were found on a shelf, with the provisions which the
poor woman had purchased the previous night. In a
trunk, with some other articles of wearing apparel. was
a gown, and within the cuff of one of the sleeves was found
£3 15s. What other money the deceased possessed, or
whether she had any more. is not known, but this deposit
in the trunk had escaped the murderer. The case being
clearly established as one of murder, the local authorities
have been indefatigable in their efforts to trace out the
perpetrator of the foul crime, but no clue has yet been
discovered.--Inverness Courier.

TRADE REPORT.-SATURDAY,

LIVERPOOL,

COTTON. With a moderately fair demand and sufficient
offerings, the Cotton market to-day has ruled dull without
change in price. The sales—including 40 Pernambuco,
GO to 7d ; 40 Bahia, 611; 500 Egyptian, 6;11 to 7d ; 500
Surat, 4id to 40—are reported 6,000 bales, of which
1,000 are on speculation and for export.
Pia IRON : Our market for warrants closes nominally at
67s to 67s 6d, cash; three months open, 683 6d, at which
1,000 tons were done.

LONDON.

TALLOW : The market is quiet, with very little doinz.
Town tallow is quoted 51s nett cash ; Petersburg Y.C. on
the spot, 57s 61 ; March to April, 52s 9d ; April t J une,
525; October to Deennber, 51s 61. lUarket Averages
Town tallow, 533 6d; fat by ditto, 23 10d; melted
stuff, 373; rough ditto, 233 61; tallow graves, 16s ; good
dregs, 7s.