THE ORARI MURDER.

Press, Volume L, Issue 14978, 21 May 1914, Page 2

THE ORARI MURDER.

I CASE AGAINST CBIPPS. ACCUSED. COMMITTED FOR TRIAL. (spec/at, to "the press.") GERALDINE, May 20. The Orari Bridge murder was further investigated by Mr Day, S.M.. at Geraldino to-day, Harry Cripps being charged that on April 25th, he did murder Adam Stevenson. Superintendent Dwyer, of Christchurch, conducted the prosecution, and Mr Campbell appeared for the defence.

Dr. Paterson repeated his evidence givon at the inquest. Witness added that he was culled to see accused after the arrest. Accused had a slight bruise on the back, which, he 6aid, was caused by a blow with a crowbar. A recent blow with the crowbar produced in Court would leave a bigger bruiso than the one he saw, Alexander Wilson Kelman stated that deceased and accused were in his employment. They occupied a camp together, but did not get on well together. Witness authorised deceased to discharge accused. Witness was prosent when Constable O'Grady questioned accused, who collapsed, arid had to be driven home in witness's trap.

John Rowo, labourer, of Geraldine, stated that on Saturday, April 2oth, he was working on Tozer's farm opposite Kelman's. About 5.30 that afternoon, witness saw accused standing by the gal?ey at his camp. He did not see deceased. Anthony Johnston, butcher, of Geraldine, said that early on April 28th ho visited the slaughterhouse alongside the Orarj river. When travelling along the road to 6iignie's Crossing, witness saw accused coming from the direction of the spot where deceased's body was found. Accused was about a quarter of a mile from that spot, and was walking towards his camp, which \va.s about a mile away. James Haigh, farm labourer, stated .that he visited deceased's camp with stores on April 24th, leaving half a gallon of kerosene there. On the following Monday, accused called at the homestead, and asked witness for another half gallon of kerosene. That quantity usually lasted about three weeks. William Hawker stated that accused | visited him on April 24th. and asked for employment. He said Stevenson was a great man for work. Accused said he did not care about Stevenson, and would have given notice to Kelnuin.

Constable ..O'Grady repeated his evidence given at the inquest. The constable stated that accused made a voluntary statement to Detective Fahey when the latter joined in the search on Apr:! 28th. The rug and bags in which the body was tied up smelt very strongly of kerosene. When accuse'? wn.eppnrched tip h*<l a silver watch, a pocket knife, and 8s 6d in silver. In Stevenson's clothes there was no money and no watch, but the chain was there. The string tied round the neck of the body was similar .to some found in the galley occupied by accused.

ACCUSED'S STATEMENT. Detective-Sergeant Fahey said that on April 28th he took a voluntary statement from writing ' it down: Accused eaid:—"l am 27 years last March. I started work for Kelinan on March- 23rd. 1 started to plough with Adam Stevenson. Wβ lived in a little hut; both of us were together. Adam went, home every Saturday night K On Saturday last wo knocked off work about a quarter to five. We went to the hut and fed the horses. Adam worked a six-horso team, and I worked, four horses. We covered the horses, and then went to the hut. Adam took off his working clothes and put on a clean suit and hat. Adam had two-hats and two

pairs of boots in the hut. When Adnm changed his clothes he left to go home. I remained in the hut and cooked my own tea. Adam eaid:

'Feed the horses on Sunday.' Adam took away with him a rug and two bags sewn together. Adam rolled the iswag up and fastened it with stringThe bags were used to keep him warm.at night.- Adam went out ot the gate and down the new road I went out to see

if the gate was fastened, and I saw him down the road. It would be near six o'clock. I then went to have my tea.! After, tea, I yoked up a horse and went down to the plantation for a few sticks. I. got home about halfpast seven with a few sticks. It was too dark to get many. A man.called to get a bicycle pumip before I left the camp. I went to Geraldine • about eight o'clock; stopped about half an hour, and came home again. I got home at ten o'clock. I slept in the hut, and 1 fed the horses on Sunday. Adam's boy. with another, came" and asked for his father. I told him ho went home on Saturday night. I had my dinner at home at Winchester. I did not return to the camp until Monday afternoon. When in Winchester, Hoskins asked mc to get some beer. He asked mc for a shilling. On Saturday, Adam and I had a growl. I was smoking. Adam told mc to turn the horses out if I would not -work. Ho lifted his hand to mc, but did not hit mc. He never lifted his "hand to mc

before. Adam rode all day. I had to walk. I got up a little before seven to-day (the 28th). I fed the horses, lit the fire, and had breakfast, and then went out into the grass paddock to wait for Constable O'Grady who was out on the road. Before I met him I forgot I went as far as the

plantation near Tozer's camp. It was about daylight. It was very dark when I left the hut to go for the sticks. Tho sticks were of a light colour, and I found them in the dark. I was not near the riverbed this morning. I was looking for Adam on ■ the road. I thought he might have dropped dead. I did not have anything in the dray when I went for wood. My coat was in the dray. I don't know where Adam is, and I don't know why he took his rug, hat, and boots with him." J Accused's statement was made within a chain and a half of where the body was subsequently found on the ovening of April 30th. Witness relieved Constable Murphy, who was' looking after accused. When accused saw witness, he said: "Sorry, I didn't tell you on Tuesday I was kneeling down chopping sticks when Adam hit mc with a crowbar over the shouldor. I hit him with a stick on the head. I watched his face.-. I was going to take him down to you fellows I got frightened, and carted him to the riverbed." / Accused reserved his defence, and was committed for trial at Timaru on June 9th. ,