The North Cumberland Reformer. — 1891-06-04 (Carlisle, Cumbria, England)

MURDEROUS ASSAULT NEAR OXFORD. A young man named William Painton (19), a farm labourer by occupation, gave himself into the custody of the police at Bilston about two o'clock on Monday morning on a charge of having murderously assaulted a boy named Henry Griffin on Friday morning. According to his own statement, he was iu the employ of Mr. William Greening, farmer and cattle dealer, Hinkley Hill Farm, nesr Oxford, and whilst engaged with the boy clearing a wheat field of docks and thistles, a dispute arose owing to the boy (acting on advice which he said had been given him by his brother) refusing to do something which Painton told him. Some high words ensued, and on the boy saying he would hit him with an implement described as a paddle, and wed for cutting thistles, he struck him on the head with the paddle he had in his hard, knocking him down, and afterwards striking him on the bead until the paddle broke. The blows rendered Griffin insensible, and as he appeared in imminent danger of dying, Painton left the place and wandered about until he reached Minton. Griffin when discovered, was removed to the Oxford Infirmary, and a warrant was issued for the apprehension of his assailant, who will be removed to Oxford. It appears that there has been considerable ill feeling between Painton and the brother of the boy Griffin for some time, and the prisoner was unable to control himself on being told by the boy that his brother had advised him not to do as Painton told him when at work.  Princess Christian attended the annual general meeting of the Princess Helena College at the Mansion House on Monday, under the presidency of the Lord Mayor, returning afterwards to Buckingham Palace.  A magnificent stained-glass window, designed by Mr. Pearson, was unveiled on f_4aturday in the parish church, Hy the, by the Dealt of Canterbury, in incmory of Lady Watkin, wife of the borough member, Sir E. Watkin. The window was subscribed for by Sir Edward's constituents in memory of Lady Wutkin's kindness to the poor of Hythe and Folkestone.  The Queen will move the Court from Balmoral to Windsor Castle on the 20th inst., leaving Deesida on the morning of the 19th inst. Mr. David Christie Murray will return to England in July, when he intends to undertake a tour with "Chums," a piece of his own, dealing with life in the colonies. This will be Mr. Murray's first appearance in England as an actor. A Milltown Ahlbay correspondent states that a Letterkenny farmer, named Frawley, was fatally shot on Sunday night by a moonlighter because he refused to leave his farm.  A Reuter's telegram from Kimberley states that Loid Randolph Churchill has arrived there on his way to Mashonaland. On Saturday his lerd,hip iLspected the diamond mines, and on Monday he attended a big hunt.  A correspolieeut of the Methodist Recorder protests against local preachers who are unable to buy the books they need being supplied with obsolete commentaries and theological dictionaries and the like. They might (says the correspondent) in that ease make statements cue part of the day that a better. informed minister at another part might. without :ntending it, flatly contradict.