The Sun.
London, England, 1860-09-19 00:00:00

TUE ROAD MURDER.

The determination of Mr. Dunn, Mr. Kent's soli-
citor, not to allow his client or any of the house-
hold to accede to the request of Mr. Slack, the soli-
tor appointed by the Wiltshire magistrates to
investigate the case, that they should be examined
by him at his private office in Bath, has at length
induced Mr. Slack to accept Mr. Dunn's offer that
an examination of all concerned should take place
at Road-hill House, in Mr. Dunn's presence. An
intimation to that effect was conveyed in a letter
received by Mr. Dunn on Friday morning last, and
on Friday afternoon Mr. Slack, together with a
superintendent of police, attended at Mr. Kent's
house, and commenced by examining most minutely
Sarah Cox, the housemaid and the cook, who has
never yet publicly given evidence. The examina-
tion was recommenced on Saturday, when the two
eldest Misses Kent, and the youngest daughter—a
little girl of two and a half years of age—were
examined. On Monday and Tuesday afternoons
the other domestics and others were submitted to a
similar ordeal, and the inquiry was adjourned until
to-day (Wednesday), when it is expected that it
will be concluded. Of course the investigation is
strictly private, and although Mr. Dunn has
been present, yet we gather that he has taken
no active part in the proceedings, except occa-
sionally interposing to request that some cries-
tion be put down in an altered form. No cross-ex-
amination of any kind has, we understand, been
attempted, and thp replies have been recorded in the
precise form in wEich the interrogations were made.
The evidence of each witness has been read over
and signed by the witness. Of course, no evidence
has been taken on oath. Should it be intended by
Mr. Slack, asis rumoured, to publish these deposi-
tions, their exparte character will cause them to
militate strongly against certain persons, and until
explanations are made, their effect would probably
be to inculpate those who might after all be shown
to be wholly innocent.
On Monday morning Mr. Slack examined at the
Woolpeck Inn, Beckington, the boy Holliday, a
clownish fellow, sixteen years of age, who, it will
be remembered, was discharged from Mr. Kent's
employ on the day of the murder. He was the first
to arrive at the house on the morning of the mur-
der, and then directly cleaned the knives. It is
very generally stated that his evidence, which has
never been before taken, is of a remarkably
important character, but as hitherto he has been sin-
gularly sullen and taciturn on the subject, and has
over and over again made contradictory statements
through sheer stupidity and obstinacy, not much
importance attaches to what he may say. On the
night of the murder, it has been well ascertained
that he slept at his home at Beckington.
Up to the present time neither. Mr. nor Mrs. nor
Constance Kent have been examined. 'Whether it
is Mr. Slack's intention to continue to refrain from
examining them it isimpossible to say. The nurse
has expressed her willingness to come forward when
required.

The first importation of Continental hops of the
growth of 1860 arrived to-day, consigned to Messrs. Wool-
lc ton, and have been sold for brewing purposes at £l4 14s.
per cwt., duty paid. The quality and flavour are alleged
to be excellent, and the curing appears to be as perfect as
that of British hops. in consequence of the small crop
this season in England, and the excessive prices expected,
a large importation of foreign will take place, their strength
and condition having been tested by consumers in 1854,
the last year in which any considerable imports took place.
On the Ist January next the Customs' duty on foreign
hops falls from 455. to 20s. per cwt., being only 6s. per cwt.
irsexcess of the excise chargeable vn Dritish hops of this
year's growth,