The Sun. — 1860-09-19 (London, England)

TUE ROAD MURDER.  The determination of Mr. Dunn, Mr. Kent's solicitor, not to allow his client or any of the household to accede to the request of Mr. Slack, the solitor 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 examination 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 occasionally interposing to request that some criestion be put down in an altered form. No cross-examination 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 depositions, 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 murder, 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 singularly 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. Woollc 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,