The Sun.
London, England, 1842-01-27 00:00:00

THE CONVICT DELAHUNT.

. This wretched man, as we have already said, made a
full confession of his horrible crime some days since.
The following account is given in the Dublin Morning
Register of Monday :
" The Governor, when making his usual inspection of
the prison on Saturday morning, visited the prisoner,
about nine o'clock. After referring to his interview with
his parents on the preceding day, the Governor said he
had heard that his father had given him some good ad-
vice, and-expressed a hope that he had profited by it, to
which he replied in the affirmative. The Governor then
said he did not wish to press him to make any commu-
nication, but if he was desirous to make a voluntary
statement to him ho was prepared to listen to it. Dela-
hunt then made the following statement :—IIe said, that
for about a month previous' to the commission of the
crime, he was nightly oppresied' iVith the feeling that he
should commit murder, but then formed no definite purpose
with respect to his victim, except this, that he intended it
should be a child, as it would be less able than a grown
person to offer any resistance to his murderous designs.
He said that he endeavoured to shake off the feeling that
thus oppressed him, but it clung to him with such tena-
city that he was unable to expel it from his mind. Hav-
ing procured the knife at his brother's house, as stated
on the trial, for the purpose of committing the murder,
he wandered about the streets during the day, in search
of his' prey. At length he perceived the 'boy Maguire
playing with some other children, in the neighbourhood
of Plunket-street, and his attention was particularly at-
tracted to him by observing bim make several inef-
fectual attempts to jump on a coal-cart that was pas-
sing through the street. He called to him on the
pretence that he wanted to send him of a message,
and promised to reward him for his trouble.
They proceeded together to the several places
stated on the trial, with the exception of the public-
house at the corner of Capel-street, where it was de-
posed on the trial they were seen taking coffee together.
He said they were not there, and they did not take any
coffee, for he had no money to pay for it. At length he
brought him to the lane near Pembroke-road, and there
perpetrated the bloody deed. It appeared on the trial
that a large stone had been used in committing the mur-
der ; but on being questioned about it he denied
having made use of the stone. He was then asked
how it occurred that there were no spots of blood
on him, and he said that on committing the murder
he had guarded against such result. Ile seized the
boy by the forehead, and having pressed his back
forcibly against his thigh, drew the knife quickly across
his throat, and then flung him from him. The boy
made no resistance, and, he believed, was unaware of
his intentions. He then ran away: and did not hear the
boy scream or give any other indication of vitality.
When questioned as to his motive for bringing the boy
to his sister-in-law's house, he could not account for it ;
but it is probable he was waiting until night, to enable him
to effect his object with greater certainty. He was then
asked if he intended to implicate the boy's mother in the
murder ? He said lie did not, that he did not know her ;
and, in describing the dress of the female by whom he
alleged the murder was committed, he did not mean to
implicate her or any other person. It will be recollected
that, in the former statement, he said his object in com-
mitting the murder was to be taken care of in the Lower
Castle-yard, and to prosecute some person for it ; but,
on the present occasion, he denied being actuated by
any such motive. The Governor said be hoped he was
telling him the truth ; and he declared he was doing so,
as sincerely as if he were making the disclosure to his
spiritual adviser."

UNION BANK OF AUSTRALIA.—Yesterday
a special general meeting of the Proprietors of this
Company was held at their office, 38, Old Broad-street,
and was fully attended. J. B. Smith, Esq.-, presided.
From the Report it appeared that the accounts re-
ceived from New South Wales and Van Diemen's
Land since June last were highly satisfactory. The
amount of undivided profits to June last was
46,220!. Bs. 6d., to which add the profit of the last half-
year, less the expenses of the branches and in London,
amounting to 33,564/. 16s. 7d., which left a balance,
after further deductioos, of 54,7851. ss. Id. of undivided
profit. The result of the foregoing statement enabled
the Directors to declare a dividend 2ss. per share on
the original sharis, and
,in the second series 10s. per
share, which was after the rate of 10 per cent. per an-
num.- The reserve fund balance to the end of Decem-
ber, was 15,198/. 6s. 6d. Mr. Borrodaile moved the
adoption of the Report, which was carried unanimously.
A discussion took place between the Directors and Mr.
G. R. Robinson, Mr. Mader, Mr. Nicholls, and others,
during which the Chairman said it as their intention
to apply for an Act of Incorporation. After votes of
thanks to the London and Colonial Directors, two new
Directors were elected by ballot, after which the meet-
ing adjourned.
HOBHOUSE AND CO.'s BANKRUPTCY.—
There were several meetings -under this Commission
during the last week, and further debts were proved to
the. amount of 1,625/. 45., making a total to the present
time of 235,089/. Bs. 4d. On Friday some of the former
proofs were, on the application of the creditors, expunged
or reduced, and on Saturday the bankrupts were further
interrogated by the creditors, after which they signed
a declaration on oath that they had made a full and
true discovery of their estate and effects, both real
and personal ; that they had not concealed or em-
bezzled any part of their property, but had delivered
up everything they possessed to the assignees. This
closed their exanunation, and the further business
of
.the bankruptcy now stands postponed till the end
of April. In the interim the assignees will be actively
engaged in their onerous duties of realizing the bank-
rupts' property, and .getting in the outstanding assets.
On the 27th of April the assignees -will submit their ac-
counts to the Commissioners to be audited ; on the 30th
of April there will be a further meeting for the proof of
debts ; and on the 2d of May a dividend will be declared.
—Bath Chronicle. _ _

MELANCHOLY ACCIDENT FROM MAKING
SLIDES.—Last night an inquest was held in Guy's Hos-
pital, before Mr. Payne, on the body of Mr. John Bay-
ley, aged 77. It appeared from the evidence that the de-
ceased was a retired tradesman, and lived at No. 53,
Lower-road, liotherhithe. About ten o'clock on the
morning of Saturday se'nnight the deceased, who was in
good health for his advanced years, was walking along
the footpath in Adam-street, Hotherhithe, when he un-
fortunately slipped, and fell heavily, owing to a slide
which some boys had formed. The poor old gentleman
was raised up by some persons near the spot, and con-
veyed to a neighbouring surgeon's, when it was ascer-
tained that he had received a severe fracture of the left
leg. He was subsequently removed in a cab to the above
hospital, but owing to the severe nature of the injury,
coupled with the deceased's age, he gradually sank, and
died on Monday. morning last. Verdict—" Accidental
death."