The statement made in the cable news from London last week, to the effect that a barrister named Thomas Hugh Shortland, formerly re siding in Auckland, had been arrested at Plymouth, M charged with the murder of his wife, with whom he had been living till a re cent date,” has aroused suspicion. Accused may possibly be Hugh Rutherford Shortland, a scion of one of tho most illustrious of New Zealand families, Hia father, Dr. Short land, waa for many years assistant protector of aborigines. He has been, and is still, per haps the highest authority extant with regard to Maoris and the early history of the colony, aud has earned a European reputation for bis writings on both subjects. Tho young man, too, is a nephew, of Lieut. Willoughby Short land, who was Acting-Governor after Captain. Hobson’s death, and who waa first Colonial Secretary of New Zealand. Dr. Shortland and two of his sons are now residing in Parnell. Hugh Rutherford Shortland is a young man of 25 years of age, and was educated at one of the great public schools in England. In 1880, he returned to Auckland along with his father and hia brothers, Willoughby aud Fred., and entered tho office of Mr Walter J, Hill as au articled clerk with a view to studying for the law. At that time he made bimeelf obnoxious to hie fellow-clerks by hia adoption of a patronising style. Shortland waa exceedingly galled, alter going up for the barristers’ general knowledge examination, to learn that he had been plucked. Up to this time he had been bachelorising with bis father in Parnell, but shortly afterwards he suddenly de parted for England. He re-appeared in Auckland during 1882, and having in the meantime passed an examination at Home, which was accepted by the authorities there as equivalent to the passage of a solicitor’s preliminary examination, he re-entered Mr W. J, Hill’s office as a means of preparing for his “ final.” From this time up till bis departure for Eng land at the end of July last, ho resided in Auckland. Twice he notified his inten tion of going up for examination, but each time he failed to do so. On the first occasion he said he had mistaken the date, and he left suddenly for England. Since that time Shortland has not been heard from. 